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As of October 2025, the average salary for a Finance Professor is $98,942 annually. This figure varies based on several factors, including geographic location, experience level, and the type of institution. Professors in research universities often earn more than those in community colleges, reflecting their advanced qualifications and responsibilities.
Geographically, certain states offer higher salaries for finance professors. For instance, states like California and New York typically provide greater compensation due to the cost of living and demand for skilled educators. Additionally, finance professors with extensive experience or those who hold advanced degrees may command higher salaries. Opportunities abound in academia, especially as financial education becomes increasingly important in the job market.
Salary estimates may vary depending on the source, but consistent patterns indicate that experienced finance professors can earn upwards of $120,000 in top institutions. Utilizing platforms like Zippia can provide valuable insights into salary ranges and job openings, helping prospective finance professors make informed career decisions.
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The average finance professor salary in Alaska, Maryland, and California are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average finance professor salary states are Idaho, Tennessee, and Colorado.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | $111,344 | $53.53 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $113,174 | $54.41 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $113,797 | $54.71 |
| 4 | Maryland | $119,668 | $57.53 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $110,551 | $53.15 |
| 6 | Alaska | $120,245 | $57.81 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $104,255 | $50.12 |
| 8 | California | $115,703 | $55.63 |
| 9 | Michigan | $104,628 | $50.30 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $104,050 | $50.02 |
| 11 | Virginia | $102,403 | $49.23 |
| 12 | Ohio | $106,739 | $51.32 |
| 13 | Illinois | $103,685 | $49.85 |
| 14 | Wyoming | $94,944 | $45.65 |
| 15 | Vermont | $96,891 | $46.58 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $106,527 | $51.21 |
| 17 | New York | $99,239 | $47.71 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $96,833 | $46.55 |
| 19 | Delaware | $100,779 | $48.45 |
| 20 | Utah | $89,901 | $43.22 |
| 21 | Missouri | $99,015 | $47.60 |
| 22 | Mississippi | $86,563 | $41.62 |
| 23 | West Virginia | $86,346 | $41.51 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $83,815 | $40.30 |
| 25 | Oregon | $90,357 | $43.44 |
| 26 | Washington | $90,325 | $43.43 |
| 27 | Maine | $90,722 | $43.62 |
| 28 | District of Columbia | $104,583 | $50.28 |
| 29 | Texas | $85,112 | $40.92 |
| 30 | Indiana | $88,593 | $42.59 |
| 31 | North Carolina | $84,897 | $40.82 |
| 32 | Kentucky | $84,350 | $40.55 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $89,027 | $42.80 |
| 34 | Nevada | $88,105 | $42.36 |
| 35 | Iowa | $83,770 | $40.27 |
| 36 | Georgia | $83,956 | $40.36 |
| 37 | South Dakota | $79,885 | $38.41 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $82,936 | $39.87 |
| 39 | Florida | $80,536 | $38.72 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $78,114 | $37.55 |
| 41 | Colorado | $67,875 | $32.63 |
| 42 | Alabama | $74,136 | $35.64 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $80,569 | $38.74 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $75,273 | $36.19 |
| 45 | Kansas | $78,975 | $37.97 |
| 46 | Hawaii | $45,406 | $21.83 |
| 47 | Tennessee | $70,537 | $33.91 |
| 48 | Montana | $79,370 | $38.16 |
| 49 | Idaho | $72,863 | $35.03 |
| 50 | Arizona | $62,548 | $30.07 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $62,378 | $29.99 |
The highest-paying cities for finance professors are Grand Forks, ND, Cambridge, MA, and Los Angeles, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks, ND | $120,945 | $58.15 |
| 2 | Cambridge, MA | $119,268 | $57.34 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $117,180 | $56.34 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $103,066 | $49.55 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $89,267 | $42.92 |
| 6 | Tallahassee, FL | $89,249 | $42.91 |
A finance professor's salary ranges from $39,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $247,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $247,000 | $20,583 | $119 |
| 75th Percentile | $160,000 | $13,333 | $77 |
| Average | $98,942 | $8,245 | $48 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,000 | $5,083 | $29 |
| 10th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
The highest paying types of finance professors are professor, associate professor, and adjunct professor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjunct Business Instructor | $53,224 | $4,435 | $25.59 | 84,182 |
| Business Instructor | $48,740 | $4,062 | $23.43 | 68,512 |
| Business Management Professor | $90,167 | $7,514 | $43.35 | 121,006 |
| Professor | $157,570 | $13,131 | $75.75 | 21,861 |
| Adjunct Professor | $98,821 | $8,235 | $47.51 | 22,488 |
Top companies hiring finance professors now:
Finance professor salaries at UMiami Health System and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average finance professor salary at companies like The American College of Financial Services and UWorld are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UMiami Health System | $202,703 | $97.45 |
| 2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $179,175 | $86.14 |
| 3 | The American College of Financial Services | $173,437 | $83.38 |
| 4 | UWorld | $125,983 | $60.57 |
| 5 | University of Houston | $123,221 | $59.24 |
| 6 | Rice University | $118,204 | $56.83 |
| 7 | Cowen | $116,048 | $55.79 |
| 8 | Loyola Marymount University | $112,717 | $54.19 |
| 9 | University of North Dakota | $91,339 | $43.91 |
| 10 | Seton Hill University | $90,790 | $43.65 |
| 11 | Danfoss | $85,524 | $41.12 |
The average finance professor salary has risen by $14,884 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average finance professor earned $84,058 annually, but today, they earn $98,942 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for finance professors over the last decade.
Compare finance professor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare finance professor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $98,900 | $47.57 | +0.9% |
| 2024 | $98,000 | $47.13 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $94,400 | $45.38 | +4.4% |
| 2022 | $90,300 | $43.40 | +3.5% |
| 2021 | $87,100 | $41.88 | +2.7% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hastings College | Professor of Finance | Hastings, NE | 03/24/2025 | $70,000 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | Tenure Track, Professor of Finance | San Diego, CA | 02/18/2025 | $69,630 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | Tenure Track, Professor of Finance | San Diego, CA | 01/26/2025 | $69,630 |
| Uottawa | Replacement Professor In Financial Accounting | Campus, IL | 12/15/2024 | $94,588 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | Tenure Track, Professor of Finance | Dana Point, CA | 10/17/2024 | $69,630 |
| Devry University | Professor of Accounting and Finance In Bay Area | San Jose, CA | 02/10/2024 | $80,000 |
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