Best cities for an adjunct instructor
The best cities for adjunct instructors are Newark, NJ, Detroit, MI, and Philadelphia, PA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for adjunct instructors vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for adjunct instructors in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an adjunct instructor or considering a move, this list of the best cities for adjunct instructors to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for adjunct instructors. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an adjunct instructor. While the absolute best city for adjunct instructors is Newark, NJ, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for adjunct instructors in 2024.
If you're looking for an adjunct instructor job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for adjunct instructors in 2025
1. Newark, NJ
Adjunct instructor jobs in NewarkTotal adjunct instructor jobs: 16 Average annual salary: $66,222 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $113,000 Location quotient: 2.76 2. Detroit, MI
Adjunct instructor jobs in DetroitTotal adjunct instructor jobs: 13 Average annual salary: $59,483 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location quotient: 1.24 3. Philadelphia, PA
Adjunct instructor jobs in PhiladelphiaTotal adjunct instructor jobs: 39 Average annual salary: $57,273 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $97,000 Location quotient: 1.62 4. Bakersfield, CA
Adjunct instructor jobs in BakersfieldTotal adjunct instructor jobs: 13 Average annual salary: $70,761 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $121,000 Location quotient: 5.78 5. Milwaukee, WI
Adjunct instructor jobs in MilwaukeeTotal adjunct instructor jobs: 14 Average annual salary: $55,758 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $87,000 Location quotient: 1.43 6. Oakland, CA
Adjunct instructor jobs in OaklandTotal adjunct instructor jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $74,682 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $127,000 Location quotient: 0.42 7. New York, NY
Adjunct instructor jobs in New YorkTotal adjunct instructor jobs: 168 Average annual salary: $66,428 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $113,000 Location quotient: 1.03 8. Buffalo, NY
Adjunct instructor jobs in BuffaloTotal adjunct instructor jobs: 32 Average annual salary: $62,408 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $103,000 Location quotient: 6.29 9. Riverside, CA
Adjunct instructor jobs in RiversideTotal adjunct instructor jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $67,359 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $114,000 Location quotient: 1.34 10. Durham, NC
Adjunct instructor jobs in DurhamTotal adjunct instructor jobs: 15 Average annual salary: $48,139 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $82,000 Location quotient: 1.85
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Best cities for adjunct instructors
- Newark, NJ
- Detroit, MI
- Philadelphia, PA
- Bakersfield, CA
- Milwaukee, WI
- Oakland, CA
- New York, NY
- Buffalo, NY
- Riverside, CA
- Durham, NC
Detailed list of the best cities for an adjunct instructor
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newark, NJ | $66,222 | $38,000 | 281,764 | 16 |
| 2 | Detroit, MI | $59,483 | $36,000 | 672,795 | 13 |
| 3 | Philadelphia, PA | $57,273 | $33,000 | 1,567,872 | 39 |
| 4 | Bakersfield, CA | $70,761 | $41,000 | 376,380 | 13 |
| 5 | Milwaukee, WI | $55,758 | $35,000 | 595,047 | 14 |
| 6 | Oakland, CA | $74,682 | $43,000 | 420,005 | 2 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $66,428 | $38,000 | 8,537,673 | 168 |
| 8 | Buffalo, NY | $62,408 | $37,000 | 256,902 | 32 |
| 9 | Riverside, CA | $67,359 | $39,000 | 324,722 | 4 |
| 10 | Durham, NC | $48,139 | $28,000 | 263,016 | 15 |
| 11 | Madison, WI | $55,340 | $35,000 | 252,551 | 5 |
| 12 | Los Angeles, CA | $68,290 | $39,000 | 3,976,322 | 20 |
| 13 | Cleveland, OH | $50,233 | $30,000 | 385,809 | 5 |
| 14 | San Francisco, CA | $74,848 | $43,000 | 870,887 | 5 |
| 15 | Glendale, AZ | $47,334 | $28,000 | 245,895 | 3 |
| 16 | New Orleans, LA | $48,200 | $28,000 | 391,495 | 5 |
| 17 | Anaheim, CA | $67,659 | $39,000 | 351,043 | 1 |
| 18 | Sacramento, CA | $73,766 | $43,000 | 495,234 | 1 |
| 19 | Anchorage, AK | $51,557 | $36,000 | 298,192 | 9 |
| 20 | Cincinnati, OH | $47,696 | $29,000 | 298,800 | 9 |
| 21 | San Jose, CA | $74,446 | $43,000 | 1,025,350 | 2 |
| 22 | Pittsburgh, PA | $53,535 | $32,000 | 303,625 | 4 |
| 23 | Seattle, WA | $67,347 | $42,000 | 704,352 | 2 |
| 24 | Fremont, CA | $74,514 | $43,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 25 | Stockton, CA | $73,877 | $43,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 26 | Tucson, AZ | $46,324 | $27,000 | 530,706 | 24 |
| 27 | Mesa, AZ | $47,011 | $28,000 | 484,587 | 2 |
| 28 | Jersey City, NJ | $66,315 | $38,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 29 | Brookhaven, NY | $67,145 | $39,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 30 | Corpus Christi, TX | $43,510 | $25,000 | 325,733 | 3 |
| 31 | Islip, NY | $67,008 | $39,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 32 | Fresno, CA | $72,658 | $42,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 33 | Oyster Bay, NY | $66,736 | $38,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 34 | Boston, MA | $58,885 | $34,000 | 673,184 | 10 |
| 35 | Hempstead, NY | $66,700 | $38,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 36 | Saint Paul, MN | $51,007 | $33,000 | 302,398 | 4 |
| 37 | Long Beach, CA | $67,794 | $39,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 38 | Santa Ana, CA | $67,511 | $39,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 39 | Nashville, TN | $41,613 | $25,000 | 660,388 | 6 |
| 40 | Irvine, CA | $67,351 | $39,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 41 | Reno, NV | $54,690 | $32,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 42 | Portland, OR | $52,483 | $32,000 | 639,863 | 7 |
| 43 | San Diego, CA | $65,666 | $38,000 | 1,406,630 | - |
| 44 | Toledo, OH | $49,290 | $30,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 45 | Chula Vista, CA | $65,354 | $38,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 46 | Columbus, OH | $48,984 | $30,000 | 860,090 | 1 |
| 47 | Minneapolis, MN | $50,991 | $33,000 | 413,651 | 3 |
| 48 | Las Vegas, NV | $51,985 | $30,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 49 | Phoenix, AZ | $47,300 | $28,000 | 1,615,017 | 4 |
| 50 | North Las Vegas, NV | $51,876 | $30,000 | 238,702 | - |
Highest paying cities for adjunct instructors
| Rank | City | Avg. adjunct instructor salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bakersfield, CA | $70,761 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $66,428 |
| 3 | Newark, NJ | $66,222 |
| 4 | Detroit, MI | $59,483 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $57,273 |
| 6 | Milwaukee, WI | $55,758 |
| 7 | Newark, DE | $54,332 |
| 8 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $53,427 |
| 9 | Eugene, OR | $52,973 |
| 10 | Anchorage, AK | $51,557 |
| 11 | Richmond, VA | $49,438 |
| 12 | Athens, OH | $49,188 |
| 13 | Baton Rouge, LA | $48,330 |
| 14 | Durham, NC | $48,139 |
| 15 | Glendale, AZ | $47,334 |
| 16 | Cheyenne, WY | $46,271 |
| 17 | Bradenton, FL | $43,669 |
| 18 | Lawrence, KS | $43,435 |
| 19 | Houston, TX | $42,968 |
| 20 | Saint Charles, MO | $42,804 |
Adjunct instructor best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025