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Education2025

University Professor Salary in the USA

University professors teach undergraduate and graduate students, conduct research, publish academic papers, and supervise student projects.

Average Salary
$105,000
per year
Entry Level
$65,000
starting salary
Experienced
$105,000
mid-career
Senior Level
$160,000
top earners

University Professor Take Home Pay

On the average University Professor salary of $105,000, you would take home $82,254 per year ($6,854.46 per month) after federal tax and FICA.

Yearly
Gross: $105,000.00
$82,253.50
Federal Tax:-$14,714.00
FICA (SS + Medicare):-$8,032.50
Monthly
Gross: $8,750.00
$6,854.46
Federal Tax:-$1,226.17
FICA (SS + Medicare):-$669.38
Weekly
Gross: $2,019.23
$1,581.80
Federal Tax:-$282.96
FICA (SS + Medicare):-$154.47

Effective tax rate: 21.7%|Marginal rate: 22%

University Professor Salary by Location

University Professor salaries vary significantly by region. California and New York typically offer the highest salaries but also have higher costs of living and state income taxes.

New York
$120,000
+20% vs national
California
$125,000
+25% vs national
Texas
$95,000
-5% vs national
National Average
$100,000
baseline

University Professor Salary Growth (2020-2025)

See how University Professor salaries have changed over the past 5 years, including inflation-adjusted real growth.

University Professor Salary Trends (5 Years)
Historical salary data from 2020 to 2025

+19.3%

Total Growth

+$17,008

Salary Increase

+3.6%

Annual Growth Rate

-4.0%

Real Growth (Inflation Adj.)

Year-over-Year Changes

20202021
$87,992$90,192+2.5%
20212022
$90,192$92,898+3.0%
20222023
$92,898$96,614+4.0%
20232024
$96,614$100,962+4.5%
20242025
$100,962$105,000+4.0%

Key Skills Required

Subject ExpertiseResearch SkillsPublic SpeakingAcademic WritingStudent Mentoring

Typical Qualifications

  • PhD in relevant field
  • Publication track record
  • Teaching experience

University Professor Career Progression

Assistant Professor
Associate Professor
Full Professor
Department Chair
Dean

What Does a University Professor Do?

Delivering lectures and seminars
Conducting academic research
Publishing papers and books
Supervising student dissertations
Applying for research grants

Industries Hiring University Professors

UniversitiesResearch InstitutionsThink Tanks

Calculate Your Take Home Pay

Adjust the salary and see your personalized take-home pay calculation.

Your Income

Enter your salary details for 2025

$
$

✓ No state income tax

$0/yr

Pre-tax contribution (max $23,500 in 2025)

$0/yr

Pre-tax health savings (max $4,300 self / $8,550 family)

Take Home Pay

$82,253.50/year

78.3% of gross income

  • Gross Income$105,000.00
  • Taxable Income$90,000.00
  • Federal Tax-$14,714.00
  • State Tax (TX)-$0.00
  • Social Security-$6,510.00
  • Medicare-$1,522.50
  • Total Deductions-$22,746.50

21.7%

Effective Rate

22%

Marginal Rate

$105,000 Salary Insights

Compare your salary and understand your tax breakdown

$105,000 vs US Wages

Above US average

+76%

vs US Median

$45,460

Above Median

Where Your $105,000 Goes

Annual breakdown of your salary

Take Home78.3%
Federal Tax14.0%
Social Security6.2%
Medicare1.5%

401(k) Tax Benefits on $105,000

See how 401(k) contributions reduce your tax bill

Increase your 401(k) contribution to see potential tax savings. Max contribution for 2025 is $23,500.

University Professor Salary FAQ

What is the average University Professor salary in the US?

The average University Professor salary in the US is $105,000 per year. Salaries typically range from $65,000 for entry-level positions to $180,000 for senior roles.

How much does a University Professor earn in California?

A University Professor in California earns an average of $125,000 per year, which is 25% higher than the national average.

What is the take-home pay for a University Professor?

On the average University Professor salary of $105,000, you would take home approximately $82,254 per year ($6,854.46 per month) after federal income tax and FICA taxes.