Find a Job You Really Want In
As of 2026, the role of Adjunct Professors continues to be a prevalent position across the United States. Adjunct professors contribute significantly to the academic workforce, with many opportunities available in states across the nation—not just in California or the Southern states.
Understanding the landscape of adjunct professorship, we at Zippia set out to identify the best states for adjunct professors. We analyzed various factors to determine where adjuncts can find plentiful job opportunities and fair compensation at all stages of their careers.
Utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), we compiled a list highlighting the states that offer the most advantageous conditions for adjunct professors. Here are the top states for adjunct professors in 2026:
In summary, Nebraska stands out as the leading state for adjunct professors based on job availability and salary.
Curious about how we determined these rankings? Read on to learn about our research methodology and discover more about the top states for adjunct professors.
How We Determined the Best States for Adjunct Professors
At Zippia, we engage with job seekers from various backgrounds. Our research indicates that two primary factors influence job satisfaction:
- Job availability
- Compensation
To identify the best states for adjunct professors, we assessed job availability and salary data, focusing on criteria sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics:
- Location quotient: A measure of how common a job is in a given state.
- Average annual salary.
- Average annual salary for entry-level positions.
- Average annual salary for experienced professionals.
To ensure fair comparisons, we adjusted salary figures based on each state’s cost of living. This methodology allows us to highlight that different salary levels can have varying purchasing power depending on where you live. For instance, while California’s average adjunct salary may seem high, it may not stretch as far as salaries in other states.
After ranking each state on these criteria from 1 to 50, with 1 being the best, we calculated an overall Job Score. The state with the lowest score earned the title of the best state for adjunct professors.
Let’s dive into the specifics of what makes each state an excellent choice for adjunct professors.
1. Nebraska
Total Jobs: 1,800
Average Annual Salary: $93,060
Average Entry Level Salary: $44,800
Average Experienced Salary: $153,600
Location Quotient: 1.46
2. Iowa
Total Jobs: 2,580
Average Annual Salary: $139,770
Average Entry Level Salary: $51,740
Average Experienced Salary: $0
Location Quotient: 1.3
3. New Mexico
Total Jobs: 1,340
Average Annual Salary: $135,740
Average Entry Level Salary: $56,160
Average Experienced Salary: $0
Location Quotient: 1.29
4. Oklahoma
Total Jobs: 3,060
Average Annual Salary: $84,500
Average Entry Level Salary: $41,010
Average Experienced Salary: $132,300
Location Quotient: 1.48
5. Mississippi
Total Jobs: 1,420
Average Annual Salary: $158,370
Average Entry Level Salary: $56,810
Average Experienced Salary: $0
Location Quotient: 0.99
6. Utah
Total Jobs: 2,480
Average Annual Salary: $140,210
Average Entry Level Salary: $45,090
Average Experienced Salary: $0
Location Quotient: 1.44
7. Michigan
Total Jobs: 5,520
Average Annual Salary: $140,200
Average Entry Level Salary: $46,240
Average Experienced Salary: $0
Location Quotient: 1.03
8. Washington
Total Jobs: 3,300
Average Annual Salary: $138,630
Average Entry Level Salary: $68,650
Average Experienced Salary: $0
Location Quotient: 0.85
9. Wisconsin
Total Jobs: 5,400
Average Annual Salary: $113,720
Average Entry Level Salary: $44,130
Average Experienced Salary: $0
Location Quotient: 1.5
10. North Carolina
Total Jobs: 9,740
Average Annual Salary: $125,850
Average Entry Level Salary: $35,260
Average Experienced Salary: $0
Location Quotient: 1.82
Conclusion
If you’re considering a career as an adjunct professor, these states should be at the forefront of your job search. They offer competitive salaries, ample job openings, and potential for professional growth.
If you’re interested in learning about the states with the least favorable conditions for adjunct professors, here are the bottom three:
Detailed List Of The Best States For Adjunct Professors
| Rank | State | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nebraska | $93,060 |
| 2 | Iowa | $139,770 |
| 3 | New Mexico | $135,740 |
| 4 | Oklahoma | $84,500 |
| 5 | Mississippi | $158,370 |
| 6 | Utah | $140,210 |
| 7 | Michigan | $140,200 |
| 8 | Washington | $138,630 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $113,720 |
| 10 | North Carolina | $125,850 |
| 11 | Kansas | $90,930 |
| 12 | Connecticut | $155,820 |
| 13 | Colorado | $133,470 |
| 14 | Indiana | $120,620 |
| 15 | Arizona | $126,290 |
| 16 | Missouri | $116,270 |
| 17 | Oregon | $140,010 |
| 18 | North Dakota | $101,450 |
| 19 | Kentucky | $70,220 |
| 20 | Delaware | $87,730 |
| 21 | Idaho | $99,460 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $86,560 |
| 23 | New Hampshire | $121,240 |
| 24 | Ohio | $107,800 |
| 25 | New York | $120,140 |
| 26 | West Virginia | $59,720 |
| 27 | Texas | $109,050 |
| 28 | Massachusetts | $122,540 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $100,510 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $79,800 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $84,520 |
| 32 | South Carolina | $70,790 |
| 33 | Arkansas | $110,500 |
| 34 | Florida | $75,190 |
| 35 | Wyoming | $66,010 |
| 36 | Rhode Island | $87,300 |
| 37 | Virginia | $91,170 |
| 38 | New Jersey | $108,740 |
| 39 | Nevada | $114,660 |
| 40 | California | $117,430 |
| 41 | Montana | $58,940 |
| 42 | Alaska | $74,430 |
| 43 | Vermont | $54,810 |
| 44 | Illinois | $0 |
| 45 | Maine | $0 |
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.
