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Philosophy instructor salary
Average philosophy instructor salary
$71,060
Understanding the Salary of Philosophy Instructors
The average salary for a Philosophy Instructor in the United States is $71,060 per year, which translates to approximately $34 per hour. Salaries in this field can vary based on several factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the type of educational institution.
For instance, Philosophy Instructors in states like California and New York often earn higher salaries compared to those in less populated areas. Additionally, urban universities typically offer more competitive compensation packages than smaller colleges.
Salary by State
Data shows that states with the highest average salaries for Philosophy Instructors include:
- California
- New York
- Texas
- Florida
Moreover, the highest-paying cities for this profession often include metropolitan areas where educational demand is greater. Understanding these salary dynamics can help potential instructors make informed career decisions.
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Where can a Philosophy Instructor earn more?
Average philosophy instructor salary by state
The highest-paying states for philosophy instructors are California, Oregon, and Connecticut. The lowest average philosophy instructor salary states are Arkansas, Montana, and Tennessee.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for philosophy instructors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $92,372 | $44.41 |
| 2 | California | $105,576 | $50.76 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $82,960 | $39.88 |
| 4 | Utah | $81,346 | $39.11 |
| 5 | Nevada | $74,750 | $35.94 |
| 6 | Vermont | $79,019 | $37.99 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $83,777 | $40.28 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $85,526 | $41.12 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $76,290 | $36.68 |
| 10 | Delaware | $74,000 | $35.58 |
| 11 | Michigan | $70,478 | $33.88 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $73,750 | $35.46 |
| 13 | District of Columbia | $94,524 | $45.44 |
| 14 | North Dakota | $71,250 | $34.25 |
| 15 | Ohio | $70,676 | $33.98 |
| 16 | Florida | $70,324 | $33.81 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $74,163 | $35.66 |
| 18 | Illinois | $73,136 | $35.16 |
| 19 | North Carolina | $63,933 | $30.74 |
| 20 | Iowa | $64,928 | $31.22 |
| 21 | West Virginia | $67,154 | $32.29 |
| 22 | South Carolina | $61,542 | $29.59 |
| 23 | Indiana | $70,267 | $33.78 |
| 24 | Maine | $69,543 | $33.43 |
| 25 | Maryland | $67,853 | $32.62 |
| 26 | Idaho | $68,927 | $33.14 |
| 27 | Arizona | $66,164 | $31.81 |
| 28 | New York | $64,610 | $31.06 |
| 29 | Mississippi | $61,194 | $29.42 |
| 30 | Wisconsin | $64,641 | $31.08 |
| 31 | Wyoming | $57,734 | $27.76 |
| 32 | Hawaii | $52,398 | $25.19 |
| 33 | Kentucky | $61,178 | $29.41 |
| 34 | Kansas | $64,317 | $30.92 |
| 35 | Washington | $69,550 | $33.44 |
| 36 | Texas | $58,189 | $27.98 |
| 37 | Colorado | $56,631 | $27.23 |
| 38 | New Mexico | $58,653 | $28.20 |
| 39 | Missouri | $63,255 | $30.41 |
| 40 | Alabama | $60,463 | $29.07 |
| 41 | Virginia | $57,358 | $27.58 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $57,245 | $27.52 |
| 43 | Minnesota | $60,178 | $28.93 |
| 44 | Montana | $54,062 | $25.99 |
| 45 | Georgia | $54,804 | $26.35 |
| 46 | Nebraska | $58,680 | $28.21 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $59,042 | $28.39 |
| 48 | Alaska | $49,105 | $23.61 |
| 49 | Tennessee | $52,655 | $25.31 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $52,348 | $25.17 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $54,600 | $26.25 |
Highest paying cities for philosophy instructors
The highest-paying cities for philosophy instructors are Santa Rosa, CA, Chicago, IL, and Des Moines, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa, CA | $118,686 | $57.06 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $73,582 | $35.38 |
| 3 | Des Moines, WA | $70,111 | $33.71 |
| 4 | Muskegon, MI | $67,606 | $32.50 |
| 5 | Syracuse, NY | $63,190 | $30.38 |
| 6 | Asheville, NC | $60,914 | $29.29 |
| 7 | Fredericksburg, VA | $58,010 | $27.89 |
| 8 | New Orleans, LA | $57,199 | $27.50 |
| 9 | Clarksville, TN | $52,705 | $25.34 |
Philosophy instructor salary details
A philosophy instructor's salary ranges from $39,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $128,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a philosophy instructor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $128,000 | $10,667 | $62 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,000 | $8,083 | $47 |
| Average | $71,060 | $5,922 | $34 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,000 | $4,250 | $25 |
| 10th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
Highest paying philosophy instructor jobs
The highest paying types of philosophy instructors are biblical studies professor, associate professor of religious studies, and philosophy professor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjunct English Instructor | $55,901 | $4,658 | $26.88 | 38,052 |
| Instructor | $53,426 | $4,452 | $25.69 | 39,273 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for philosophy instructors, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Corinne Bloch-Mullins Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Marquette University
Which companies pay philosophy instructors the most?
Philosophy instructor salaries at Kern Community College District and Loyola University New Orleans are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average philosophy instructor salary at companies like PSEA and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kern Community College District | $127,160 | $61.13 |
| 2 | Loyola University New Orleans | $90,569 | $43.54 |
| 3 | PSEA | $77,019 | $37.03 |
| 4 | Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | $76,738 | $36.89 |
| 5 | St. Olaf College | $69,053 | $33.20 |
| 6 | Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania | $68,325 | $32.85 |
| 7 | Seattle University | $66,562 | $32.00 |
| 8 | East Stroudsburg University | $63,159 | $30.36 |
| 9 | Highline College | $58,396 | $28.07 |
| 10 | Syracuse University | $56,139 | $26.99 |
| 11 | Virginia's Community Colleges | $55,408 | $26.64 |
| 12 | Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | $52,479 | $25.23 |
| 13 | Delta College | $51,723 | $24.87 |
| 14 | Austin Peay State University | $44,389 | $21.34 |
| 15 | Muskegon Community College | $37,157 | $17.86 |
| 16 | Los Angeles Trade-Technical College | $33,600 | $16.15 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Philosophy instructor salary trends
The average philosophy instructor salary has risen by $10,319 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average philosophy instructor earned $60,741 annually, but today, they earn $71,060 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for philosophy instructors over the last decade.
Compare philosophy instructor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average philosophy instructor salary over time
Compare philosophy instructor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Philosophy instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $71,100 | $34.16 | +1.2% |
| 2025 | $70,200 | $33.75 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $67,100 | $32.25 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $64,900 | $31.22 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $63,800 | $30.66 | +2.9% |
Recently added philosophy instructor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loyola University of Chicago Inc. | Philosophy, Instructor, (One-Year, Temporary), Non-Tenure Track | Chicago, IL | 06/22/2025 | $58,500 |
| State of Virginia | Philosophy Instructor | Richmond, VA | 06/06/2025 | $62,500 |
| North Orange County Community College District | Philosophy Instructor | Anaheim, CA | 03/24/2025 | $85,541 |
| Virginia Community College System | Philosophy Instructor | Richmond, VA | 03/21/2025 | $62,500 |
| State of Virginia | Philosophy Instructor | Richmond, VA | 03/21/2025 | $62,500 |
| Kern Comunity College District | Philosophy Instructor, Adjunct Pool-East Kern, Inmate Education Program Opportunity | Ione, CA | 03/07/2025 | $125,220 |
| San Mateo Community College District | Philosophy Instructor Tenure-Track Faculty Position) | San Bruno, CA | 02/13/2025 | $86,304 |
| Sierra College | Philosophy (Adjunct | Rocklin, CA | 01/31/2025 | $121,213 |
| Oakton Community College | Philosophy PHL 25)-Oakton College | Kane, IL | 01/26/2025 | $59,584 |
| California Department of Education | Philosophy Studies Instructor Tenure-Track) Clovis Community College | Fresno, CA | 01/15/2025 | $71,054 |
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