Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
History professor salary
Average history professor salary
$96,725
Understanding History Professor Salaries
The average salary for a history professor stands at $96,725 annually, which translates to approximately $47 per hour. Variations in salary can depend on several factors, including geographic location, years of teaching experience, and the specific institution. For example, professors at research universities often earn more than those in community colleges.
Salary by State
In states like California and New York, history professors tend to earn higher wages, reflecting the higher cost of living and demand for qualified educators. Conversely, states with lower living costs might offer competitive salaries that align with local economic conditions.
Job Opportunities
Career opportunities for history professors are available at various educational levels, from high schools to universities. Additionally, online teaching positions are becoming increasingly prevalent, allowing for flexible teaching arrangements. As you explore your options, consider how different settings and locations can influence your earning potential.
Let Zippia find your next history professor job
Let Zippia find your next history professor job
Where can a History Professor earn more?
History professor salary estimates from across the web
Average history professor salary by state
The average history professor salary in New Jersey, California, and Connecticut are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average history professor salary states are Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Indiana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for history professors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | $116,848 | $56.18 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $127,903 | $61.49 |
| 3 | New York | $109,864 | $52.82 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $112,357 | $54.02 |
| 5 | Utah | $105,687 | $50.81 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $108,925 | $52.37 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $121,189 | $58.26 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $102,700 | $49.38 |
| 9 | California | $125,502 | $60.34 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $108,365 | $52.10 |
| 11 | Oregon | $88,806 | $42.70 |
| 12 | Iowa | $93,942 | $45.16 |
| 13 | Maine | $95,485 | $45.91 |
| 14 | West Virginia | $81,270 | $39.07 |
| 15 | Texas | $87,544 | $42.09 |
| 16 | Kansas | $91,887 | $44.18 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $107,219 | $51.55 |
| 18 | Delaware | $103,440 | $49.73 |
| 19 | Nevada | $101,696 | $48.89 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $94,273 | $45.32 |
| 21 | Virginia | $84,507 | $40.63 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $80,237 | $38.58 |
| 23 | Alaska | $82,707 | $39.76 |
| 24 | Colorado | $79,442 | $38.19 |
| 25 | Ohio | $80,494 | $38.70 |
| 26 | Idaho | $86,586 | $41.63 |
| 27 | Nebraska | $76,314 | $36.69 |
| 28 | Alabama | $75,002 | $36.06 |
| 29 | Washington | $85,192 | $40.96 |
| 30 | Maryland | $88,529 | $42.56 |
| 31 | North Carolina | $77,859 | $37.43 |
| 32 | Kentucky | $72,637 | $34.92 |
| 33 | Michigan | $74,855 | $35.99 |
| 34 | Arizona | $81,912 | $39.38 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $75,638 | $36.36 |
| 36 | Minnesota | $78,372 | $37.68 |
| 37 | Louisiana | $71,443 | $34.35 |
| 38 | Mississippi | $69,768 | $33.54 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $67,043 | $32.23 |
| 40 | Wyoming | $74,284 | $35.71 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $72,916 | $35.06 |
| 42 | Missouri | $75,423 | $36.26 |
| 43 | Montana | $72,224 | $34.72 |
| 44 | New Mexico | $74,032 | $35.59 |
| 45 | Illinois | $70,868 | $34.07 |
| 46 | Florida | $71,122 | $34.19 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $67,298 | $32.35 |
| 48 | Indiana | $66,048 | $31.75 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $61,675 | $29.65 |
| 50 | Georgia | $64,923 | $31.21 |
| 51 | Hawaii | $58,585 | $28.17 |
Highest paying cities for history professors
The highest-paying cities for history professors are Los Angeles, CA, New Haven, CT, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $125,171 | $60.18 |
| 2 | New Haven, CT | $123,035 | $59.15 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $111,017 | $53.37 |
| 4 | Providence, RI | $109,552 | $52.67 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $104,855 | $50.41 |
| 6 | Towson, MD | $89,416 | $42.99 |
| 7 | Spartanburg, SC | $76,356 | $36.71 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $75,482 | $36.29 |
| 9 | Cincinnati, OH | $75,044 | $36.08 |
| 10 | Miami, FL | $72,579 | $34.89 |
History professor salary details
A history professor's salary ranges from $46,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $200,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a history professor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $200,000 | $16,667 | $96 |
| 75th Percentile | $142,000 | $11,833 | $68 |
| Average | $96,725 | $8,060 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,000 | $5,417 | $31 |
| 10th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
Highest paying history professor jobs
The highest paying types of history professors are professor, associate professor, and adjunct professor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjunct Professor | $98,821 | $8,235 | $47.51 | 22,488 |
| Professor | $157,570 | $13,131 | $75.75 | 21,861 |
Top companies hiring history professors now:
Which companies pay history professors the most?
History professor salaries at Yale University and Florida International University are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average history professor salary at companies like The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania and Brown University are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yale University | $122,301 | $58.80 |
| 2 | Florida International University | $104,351 | $50.17 |
| 3 | The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania | $99,826 | $47.99 |
| 4 | Brown University | $94,344 | $45.36 |
| 5 | Kansas City Kansas Community College | $94,088 | $45.23 |
| 6 | Loyola Marymount University | $92,486 | $44.46 |
| 7 | The PNC Financial Services Group | $89,436 | $43.00 |
| 8 | Town of Bay Harbor | $87,324 | $41.98 |
| 9 | University of Pittsburgh | $85,078 | $40.90 |
| 10 | Bucknell University | $80,347 | $38.63 |
| 11 | Marietta College | $76,390 | $36.73 |
| 12 | Johns Hopkins University | $72,869 | $35.03 |
| 13 | Arkansas State University, Mountain Home | $60,091 | $28.89 |
| 14 | Wofford College | $56,756 | $27.29 |
| 15 | Greenfield-Central High School | $53,251 | $25.60 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
History professor salary trends
The average history professor salary has risen by $13,875 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average history professor earned $82,850 annually, but today, they earn $96,725 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for history professors over the last decade.
Compare history professor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average history professor salary over time
Compare history professor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
History professor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $96,700 | $46.50 | +2.2% |
| 2025 | $94,600 | $45.46 | +0.8% |
| 2024 | $93,800 | $45.11 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $91,400 | $43.96 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $90,300 | $43.44 | +3.4% |
Recently added history professor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of South Carolina | Adjunct History Professor | Columbia, SC | 06/25/2025 | $33,624 |
| Montana Office of Public Instruction | History | Reed Point, MT | 04/25/2025 | $41,615 |
| California Department of Education | Temporary History Professor | Salinas, CA | 04/24/2025 | $74,431 |
| Collin County Community College | Professor, History (Fall 2025/Dual Credit) | Plano, TX | 03/16/2025 | $61,128 |
| Collin College | Professor, History (Fall 2025/Dual Credit) | Plano, TX | 03/16/2025 | $61,128 |
| Virginia Native Plant Society | Open Rank Professor of Business History | Charlottesville, VA | 02/17/2025 | $57,000 |
| Privateinvestigators Bexley | Head of History | Essex, MD | 02/16/2025 | $45,573 |
| Copyright Life Coach Hub Ltd. | BA History | Bowne, MI | 02/15/2025 | $125,220 |
| South Puget Sound Community College | History Professor, Tenure Track | Olympia, WA | 02/12/2025 | $74,431 |
| Montana Office of Public Instruction | History | Churchill, MT | 12/14/2024 | $33,000 |
History professor salary FAQs
Search for history professor jobs