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The average salary for a Communication Studies Professor is approximately $61,318 per year. However, salaries can fluctuate based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the type of institution. For instance, professors at research universities often earn more than those at community colleges.
In states like California and New York, salaries tend to be higher, reflecting the cost of living and demand for skilled educators. Educational background also plays a vital role; advanced degrees may lead to higher salary offers.
For those considering a career in this field, it's valuable to research local job markets and potential salary ranges. Networking with current professors and attending educational conferences can provide insights into opportunities and career advancement. Overall, the role of a Communication Studies Professor not only offers competitive compensation but also fulfills a vital educational purpose, making it a rewarding career choice.
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The highest-paying states for communication studies professors are New Hampshire, Connecticut, and New York. The lowest average communication studies professor salary states are Georgia, Texas, and Tennessee.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | $102,026 | $49.05 |
| 2 | New York | $104,748 | $50.36 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $104,498 | $50.24 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $108,631 | $52.23 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $104,186 | $50.09 |
| 6 | Maine | $96,223 | $46.26 |
| 7 | Michigan | $93,230 | $44.82 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $109,090 | $52.45 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | $93,772 | $45.08 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $95,688 | $46.00 |
| 11 | Illinois | $95,410 | $45.87 |
| 12 | West Virginia | $82,221 | $39.53 |
| 13 | Oregon | $85,134 | $40.93 |
| 14 | District of Columbia | $90,692 | $43.60 |
| 15 | Delaware | $100,620 | $48.38 |
| 16 | Montana | $86,611 | $41.64 |
| 17 | South Dakota | $79,607 | $38.27 |
| 18 | California | $99,665 | $47.92 |
| 19 | Ohio | $89,053 | $42.81 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | $79,600 | $38.27 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $88,342 | $42.47 |
| 22 | Nevada | $89,952 | $43.25 |
| 23 | Minnesota | $82,477 | $39.65 |
| 24 | Washington | $87,904 | $42.26 |
| 25 | Colorado | $77,737 | $37.37 |
| 26 | Utah | $77,209 | $37.12 |
| 27 | Maryland | $86,371 | $41.52 |
| 28 | Idaho | $84,972 | $40.85 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $75,824 | $36.45 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $79,244 | $38.10 |
| 31 | Virginia | $75,591 | $36.34 |
| 32 | Iowa | $74,628 | $35.88 |
| 33 | Kentucky | $69,051 | $33.20 |
| 34 | Mississippi | $67,408 | $32.41 |
| 35 | Indiana | $75,329 | $36.22 |
| 36 | Alaska | $70,101 | $33.70 |
| 37 | Kansas | $70,524 | $33.91 |
| 38 | Hawaii | $64,163 | $30.85 |
| 39 | North Carolina | $68,474 | $32.92 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $67,294 | $32.35 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $65,807 | $31.64 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $55,886 | $26.87 |
| 43 | Texas | $59,472 | $28.59 |
| 44 | Alabama | $57,896 | $27.83 |
| 45 | Arizona | $67,037 | $32.23 |
| 46 | Missouri | $66,010 | $31.74 |
| 47 | New Mexico | $64,562 | $31.04 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $60,867 | $29.26 |
| 49 | Florida | $55,720 | $26.79 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $58,471 | $28.11 |
| 51 | Georgia | $59,540 | $28.63 |
The highest-paying cities for communication studies professors are New York, NY, Los Angeles, CA, and Olympia, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $110,666 | $53.20 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $96,172 | $46.24 |
| 3 | Olympia, WA | $88,693 | $42.64 |
| 4 | Annandale, VA | $81,689 | $39.27 |
| 5 | Savannah, GA | $57,813 | $27.79 |
A communication studies professor's salary ranges from $30,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $122,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $122,000 | $10,167 | $59 |
| 75th Percentile | $88,000 | $7,333 | $42 |
| Average | $61,318 | $5,110 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
| 10th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
The highest paying types of communication studies professors are professor, communications department chairperson, and public speaking professor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor | $157,570 | $13,131 | $75.75 | 21,861 |
Top companies hiring communication studies professors now:
Communication studies professor salaries at Pace University and Oberlin College are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average communication studies professor salary at companies like Loyola Marymount University and South Puget Sound Community College are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pace University | $123,083 | $59.17 |
| 2 | Oberlin College | $87,590 | $42.11 |
| 3 | Loyola Marymount University | $82,834 | $39.82 |
| 4 | South Puget Sound Community College | $70,243 | $33.77 |
| 5 | Frostburg State University | $70,025 | $33.67 |
| 6 | Midwest University | $69,416 | $33.37 |
| 7 | Savannah College of Art and Design | $65,439 | $31.46 |
| 8 | San Diego College of Continuing Education | $56,960 | $27.38 |
The average communication studies professor salary has risen by $8,374 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average communication studies professor earned $52,944 annually, but today, they earn $61,318 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for communication studies professors over the last decade.
Compare communication studies professor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare communication studies professor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $61,300 | $29.48 | +0.6% |
| 2024 | $61,000 | $29.31 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $59,500 | $28.60 | +3.5% |
| 2022 | $57,400 | $27.60 | +1.3% |
| 2021 | $56,700 | $27.24 | +3.4% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Department of Education | Professor-Communication Studies | Salinas, CA | 01/23/2025 | $70,608 |
| Sierra College | Communication Studies (Adjunct | Rocklin, CA | 10/17/2024 | $121,213 |
| Olympic College | Communication Studies Adjunct | Bremerton, WA | 04/30/2024 | $6,000 |
| California Department of Education | Communications Studies Professor Temporary, Non-Tenure Academic Year | Imperial, CA | 02/13/2024 | $81,592 |
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