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The role of a Professor of Biology is vital in academia, contributing to research and educating future generations. As of October 2025, the average salary for this position stands at $80,294 annually, reflecting the importance of advanced education and expertise in the field. Salaries can differ based on factors such as experience and geographic location.
In states like California and New York, biology professors often earn significantly higher salaries, sometimes exceeding $100,000. This discrepancy is due to the higher cost of living and demand for skilled educators in these regions.
Additionally, the type of institution also impacts salary. Professors at research universities typically earn more than those at community colleges. Job seekers should consider these variables when evaluating career opportunities.
To stay competitive in this field, pursuing advanced degrees and engaging in ongoing research can enhance earning potential and job prospects. For those interested in entering or advancing in this profession, staying informed about salary trends and job openings is essential.
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The average professor of biology salary in Utah, California, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average professor of biology salary states are Arizona, Tennessee, and Missouri.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $105,085 | $50.52 |
| 2 | Utah | $110,041 | $52.90 |
| 3 | Oregon | $91,034 | $43.77 |
| 4 | Alaska | $90,594 | $43.55 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $86,880 | $41.77 |
| 6 | California | $109,882 | $52.83 |
| 7 | District of Columbia | $83,161 | $39.98 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $84,096 | $40.43 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $81,725 | $39.29 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $74,910 | $36.01 |
| 11 | Idaho | $89,740 | $43.14 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $76,241 | $36.65 |
| 13 | Connecticut | $84,374 | $40.56 |
| 14 | Nevada | $87,729 | $42.18 |
| 15 | Delaware | $85,281 | $41.00 |
| 16 | Vermont | $71,918 | $34.58 |
| 17 | South Dakota | $69,663 | $33.49 |
| 18 | Washington | $78,982 | $37.97 |
| 19 | North Dakota | $77,265 | $37.15 |
| 20 | Michigan | $71,957 | $34.59 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $81,237 | $39.06 |
| 22 | Colorado | $69,171 | $33.26 |
| 23 | Indiana | $73,240 | $35.21 |
| 24 | Kansas | $69,203 | $33.27 |
| 25 | Maine | $70,251 | $33.77 |
| 26 | Ohio | $70,554 | $33.92 |
| 27 | Illinois | $72,636 | $34.92 |
| 28 | Minnesota | $69,213 | $33.28 |
| 29 | Virginia | $68,187 | $32.78 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $69,036 | $33.19 |
| 31 | Alabama | $64,653 | $31.08 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $70,716 | $34.00 |
| 33 | Mississippi | $61,252 | $29.45 |
| 34 | Louisiana | $62,532 | $30.06 |
| 35 | Oklahoma | $66,995 | $32.21 |
| 36 | Iowa | $64,483 | $31.00 |
| 37 | Maryland | $74,041 | $35.60 |
| 38 | Texas | $62,389 | $29.99 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $60,323 | $29.00 |
| 40 | West Virginia | $52,597 | $25.29 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $60,393 | $29.04 |
| 42 | Florida | $62,003 | $29.81 |
| 43 | Montana | $57,874 | $27.82 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $51,090 | $24.56 |
| 45 | Tennessee | $56,781 | $27.30 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $58,146 | $27.95 |
| 47 | Georgia | $61,103 | $29.38 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $53,349 | $25.65 |
| 49 | Hawaii | $58,504 | $28.13 |
| 50 | Arizona | $57,315 | $27.56 |
| 51 | Missouri | $54,376 | $26.14 |
The highest-paying cities for professors of biology are Rochester, NY, Cambridge, MA, and Tacoma, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester, NY | $102,194 | $49.13 |
| 2 | Cambridge, MA | $83,916 | $40.34 |
| 3 | Tacoma, WA | $79,778 | $38.35 |
| 4 | Lynchburg, VA | $66,022 | $31.74 |
| 5 | Miami, FL | $62,590 | $30.09 |
| 6 | Tyler, TX | $62,010 | $29.81 |
| 7 | Greensboro, NC | $60,940 | $29.30 |
A professor of biology's salary ranges from $45,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $142,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $142,000 | $11,833 | $68 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,000 | $9,000 | $52 |
| Average | $80,294 | $6,691 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,000 | $4,917 | $28 |
| 10th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
The highest paying types of professors of biology are professor, associate professor, and adjunct professor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Science Faculty Member | $70,683 | $5,890 | $33.98 | 30,806 |
| Biology Faculty Member | $60,278 | $5,023 | $28.98 | 12,876 |
| Adjunct Biology Instructor | $86,786 | $7,232 | $41.72 | 38,331 |
| Biology Instructor | $58,811 | $4,901 | $28.27 | 37,540 |
| Adjunct Professor | $98,821 | $8,235 | $47.51 | 22,488 |
| Professor | $157,570 | $13,131 | $75.75 | 21,861 |
Top companies hiring professors of biology now:
Professor of biology salaries at Harvard University and UTMB HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average professor of biology salary at companies like UMiami Health System and University of Rochester are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University | $104,769 | $50.37 |
| 2 | UTMB HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS | $81,849 | $39.35 |
| 3 | UMiami Health System | $79,202 | $38.08 |
| 4 | University of Rochester | $75,003 | $36.06 |
| 5 | Rutgers University | $73,079 | $35.13 |
| 6 | University of Texas System | $72,253 | $34.74 |
| 7 | PSEA | $70,693 | $33.99 |
| 8 | University of Houston | $70,142 | $33.72 |
| 9 | Tyler Junior College | $64,535 | $31.03 |
| 10 | Tacoma Community College | $59,902 | $28.80 |
| 11 | Liberty University | $58,094 | $27.93 |
| 12 | Volunteer State Community College | $57,710 | $27.75 |
The average professor of biology salary has risen by $10,778 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average professor of biology earned $69,516 annually, but today, they earn $80,294 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for professors of biology over the last decade.
Compare professor of biology salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare professor of biology salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $80,300 | $38.60 | +2.7% |
| 2025 | $78,100 | $37.57 | +0.9% |
| 2024 | $77,400 | $37.23 | +5.2% |
| 2023 | $73,400 | $35.28 | +2.0% |
| 2022 | $71,900 | $34.57 | +1.7% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roosevelt University | Biology Professor, NTT | Chicago, IL | 06/30/2025 | $60,000 |
| Arizona Western College | Professor of Biology (Temporary) | Yuma, AZ | 05/03/2025 | $54,134 |
| Washington University | Professor of Biology | Saint Louis, MO | 03/05/2025 | $416,357 |
| Collin College | Professor, Biology (Fall 2025) | McKinney, TX | 02/13/2025 | $61,128 |
| South Puget Sound Community College | Biology Professor-Tenure Track | Olympia, WA | 02/12/2025 | $76,231 |
| Collin County Community College | Professor, Biology (Fall 2025) | McKinney, TX | 02/07/2025 | $61,128 |
| Hesston College | Professor of Biology | Hesston, KS | 01/17/2025 | $52,000 |
| California Department of Education | Professor-Biology | Salinas, CA | 01/15/2025 | $70,608 |
| Botany | Professor and Head-Plant and Microbial Biology | Nore, MN | 12/10/2024 | $135,000 |
| University of Minnesota | Professor and Head-Plant and Microbial Biology | Minneapolis, MN | 11/25/2024 | $135,000 |
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