Research Summary. After extensive research by the Zippia data science team, we identified these details of adjunct instructor salary by state in the United States for 2026:
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California has the highest adjunct instructor salary of $69,711
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Georgia has the lowest adjunct instructor salary of $40,410
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The national average salary for adjunct instructors is $52,030
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The national hourly pay for adjunct instructors is $25.01
You can read more on the specific methodology.
Background
In nearly every survey, salary remains the top priority for job seekers. If you’re considering a role as an adjunct instructor, it’s vital to know what you can expect to earn in your area.
Numerous factors influence individual salaries, but robust data exists on average adjunct instructor salaries by state and seniority level. While your specific city may vary from state averages, these figures provide a solid framework for understanding potential earnings.
California stands out as the state offering the best salary for adjunct instructors.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the top ten states for adjunct instructor salaries:
Let’s take a closer look at how these salaries are determined and a comprehensive ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Adjunct Instructors By State
| Rank | State | Average Adjunct Instructor Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $69,711 | $41,000 | $118,000 |
| 2 | Washington | $66,832 | $42,000 | $104,000 |
| 3 | New York | $66,246 | $39,000 | $111,000 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $66,135 | $39,000 | $111,000 |
| 5 | Vermont | $63,710 | $38,000 | $105,000 |
| 6 | Michigan | $59,233 | $37,000 | $94,000 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $58,939 | $35,000 | $98,000 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $58,722 | $34,000 | $98,000 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $58,006 | $34,000 | $97,000 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $56,575 | $33,000 | $95,000 |
| 11 | Wisconsin | $55,730 | $36,000 | $86,000 |
| 12 | West Virginia | $55,702 | $33,000 | $91,000 |
| 13 | Hawaii | $55,158 | $35,000 | $85,000 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $54,365 | $32,000 | $91,000 |
| 15 | Delaware | $54,316 | $32,000 | $91,000 |
| 16 | Iowa | $53,145 | $35,000 | $80,000 |
| 17 | Oregon | $52,661 | $33,000 | $83,000 |
| 18 | Nevada | $52,395 | $31,000 | $87,000 |
| 19 | Alaska | $51,678 | $36,000 | $73,000 |
| 20 | Minnesota | $50,971 | $33,000 | $76,000 |
| 21 | Virginia | $49,615 | $29,000 | $83,000 |
| 22 | Idaho | $49,542 | $31,000 | $77,000 |
| 23 | Maryland | $49,456 | $29,000 | $83,000 |
| 24 | Ohio | $49,243 | $30,000 | $79,000 |
| 25 | Montana | $49,086 | $32,000 | $73,000 |
| 26 | Kentucky | $48,715 | $30,000 | $78,000 |
| 27 | Utah | $48,653 | $30,000 | $77,000 |
| 28 | Alabama | $48,523 | $29,000 | $79,000 |
| 29 | Louisiana | $48,191 | $28,000 | $80,000 |
| 30 | Maine | $48,073 | $28,000 | $79,000 |
| 31 | North Dakota | $47,807 | $32,000 | $70,000 |
| 32 | Colorado | $47,611 | $31,000 | $72,000 |
| 33 | North Carolina | $47,403 | $28,000 | $79,000 |
| 34 | Wyoming | $47,228 | $31,000 | $70,000 |
| 35 | Arizona | $47,163 | $28,000 | $77,000 |
| 36 | Indiana | $47,002 | $29,000 | $74,000 |
| 37 | New Mexico | $45,691 | $28,000 | $73,000 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $45,645 | $28,000 | $72,000 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $45,280 | $29,000 | $68,000 |
| 40 | Mississippi | $45,266 | $27,000 | $73,000 |
| 41 | Kansas | $43,414 | $28,000 | $66,000 |
| 42 | Florida | $42,987 | $24,000 | $74,000 |
| 43 | Texas | $42,804 | $25,000 | $70,000 |
| 44 | Missouri | $42,685 | $27,000 | $66,000 |
| 45 | Illinois | $42,057 | $26,000 | $65,000 |
| 46 | South Dakota | $41,800 | $28,000 | $61,000 |
| 47 | Tennessee | $41,632 | $25,000 | $66,000 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $41,308 | $24,000 | $68,000 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $40,635 | $26,000 | $63,000 |
| 50 | Georgia | $40,410 | $24,000 | $66,000 |
Methodology: Adjunct Instructor Salary By State
To better understand adjunct instructor pay by state, Zippia has aggregated data from various sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Federal Labor Commission (FLC), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Additionally, we analyzed actual salaries from job postings. The data science team then calculates a weighted average based on these inputs to derive an average pay for adjunct instructors by state.
We compiled the average annual salary data for adjunct instructors based on these estimates and ranked each state accordingly.
Adjunct Instructor Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for adjunct instructors?
The highest-paid state for adjunct instructors is California with an average salary of $69,711 per year.
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What city pays adjunct instructors the most?
Bakersfield, CA pays adjunct instructors the most with an average salary of $70,761 per year.
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What is the lowest-paying state for adjunct instructors?
The lowest-paying state for adjunct instructors is Georgia with an average salary of $40,410 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
