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Job outlook for university professors in the United States
Are university professor jobs in demand?
University professor job and salary trends over time
University professor jobs over time
University professor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,744 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,819 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,836 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,814 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,770 | 0.00% |
Average university professor salary over time
University professor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $64,567 | $31.04 | +1.8% |
| 2025 | $63,414 | $30.49 | --0.1% |
| 2024 | $63,446 | $30.50 | --0.5% |
| 2023 | $63,772 | $30.66 | --1.5% |
| 2022 | $64,743 | $31.13 | +9.4% |
University professor jobs by state
Most common states for university professors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 93 | 13% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 49 | 8% |
| 3 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 51 | 6% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 386 | 5% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 290 | 5% |
| 6 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 202 | 5% |
| 7 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 98 | 5% |
| 8 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 87 | 5% |
| 9 | New York | 19,849,399 | 741 | 4% |
| 10 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 164 | 4% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 130 | 4% |
| 12 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 118 | 4% |
| 13 | Alaska | 739,795 | 33 | 4% |
| 14 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 785 | 3% |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 344 | 3% |
| 16 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 259 | 3% |
| 17 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 172 | 3% |
| 18 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 143 | 3% |
| 19 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 97 | 3% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 36 | 3% |
University Professor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of university professor experts
Kean University
North Carolina State University
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
University of Maine
Skidmore College
Ashford University
University of La Verne
University of Toledo
What general advice would you give to a University Professor?
Alex Holte PhD: My advice for someone new to the field of academia is to learn time management skills early and learn what type of service work you find interesting and would like to contribute to. From there, learn how to say “no” to opportunities that may not align with your goals as well. I feel a lot of new professors tend to find the need to be involved in everything, which can result in burning out later in their career.
What University Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alex Holte PhD: I would say being able to work with AI may be something that is more important in the next 3-5 years. Right now it’s a new technology and people are just now learning how to integrate it in the workplace, but I feel it is possible the future workforce of tomorrow will necessitate some form of being able to use AI technology.
What will help University Professors increase their earning potential?
Alex Holte PhD: When you are starting out at any career, it is important to negotiate your salary. Many candidates feel that they have to accept their first offer, but in reality, at many jobs, there is some room for negotiation. Be mindful however, to not request a salary that is much higher than what is being offered as they may feel like a compromise would not be possible and move on to the next candidate.
What general advice would you give to a University Professor?
Adam Butz Ph.D.: Thanks! We've found we get better responses over email than the phone because it gives you some time to think about it. We were hoping you could answer the following questions:
What University Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Adam Butz Ph.D.: Hi Alex, Your Zippia inquiry was directed to me by a colleague Dr. David Powell. I've recently taken over as Chair of the Public Policy & Administration Department. I could potentially provide you with necessary quotes/information about public administration careers. Please let me know exactly what you are looking for and the format for submission, etc.
What general advice would you give to a University Professor?
Mia Fiore Ph.D.: First, I would tell all students that it is VERY different from teaching k-12. Unlike K-12, you are not placed in a school with a teaching job upon graduation; teaching in higher education is one of the most competitive fields, period. The next difference is that you are expected to be an expert/ master of your field. If you're also willing to accept that you will likely have to work as an adjunct professor (for low pay) first, then go for it! Teaching in higher education is the most rewarding job, especially for people who love learning.
What University Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mia Fiore Ph.D.: Awareness and familiarity with technology has become more important, and it will continue to be more important in the next 3-5 years. With everything from peer-reviewed journals available online, to AI, technology is an important part of higher education.
What will help University Professors increase their earning potential?
Mia Fiore Ph.D.: Maximize your salary potential by teaching at a state school- if you do you can join the PSLF program and after ten years, your student loans will be forgiven.
What general advice would you give to a University Professor?
Justin Whitehill Ph.D.: Perseverance pays off. Its worth it to pursue the career you want and not settle and be unhappy.
What University Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Justin Whitehill Ph.D.: In the area of genetics and genomics, the identification of areas of the genome that can be CRISPR’d and used to add an immediate benefit is going to be very important as every cropping system races to make genome editing a reality. AI will likely play a huge role in predicting genes/regions of the genome that will provide the biggest benefits.
What will help University Professors increase their earning potential?
Justin Whitehill Ph.D.: I wouldn’t know, I’m a professor.
Jane Kuandre
Associate ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to a University Professor?
Jane Kuandre: My advice for someone looking to pursue a career in academia would be to focus on building a strong publication record, developing a network of collaborators, and continuously seeking opportunities for professional development.
What University Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jane Kuandre: Some essential skills for success in academia include critical thinking, effective communication, time management, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
What will help University Professors increase their earning potential?
Jane Kuandre: Networking is crucial for career advancement in academia as it allows individuals to establish collaborations, gain access to resources, and stay updated on the latest research trends.
What University Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Paula Holoviak Ph.D.: Starting salaries are already quite good even for those with no job experience which leads me back to my first statement. Get some experience through internship opportunities. Don't be afraid to start at the bottom (especially in state government) and work your way up through the system.
Dr. Elizabeth Neiman
Director of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies ProgramUniversity of Maine
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies
What general advice would you give to a University Professor?
Dr. Elizabeth Neiman: Students interested in enhancing their program of study with a WGS minor just 3 additional courses to take in WGS so as to complete a minor. Nursing students who have taken advantage of this opportunity report to me that they are excited about the perspectives that WGS studies provides them and that they feel more prepared than ever to begin a career in Nursing.
What University Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Elizabeth Neiman: I can reflect better on how I'd guide students to think about the work they do at UMaine in Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies so as to prepare for potential careers.
What will help University Professors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Elizabeth Neiman: Rather than answer your questions, I'll give you some background information: Since becoming Director of the Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies program at UMaine in fall 2022, I have been doing a great deal of outreach to faculty in other departments across the university.
Aurelie Matheron
Assistant Professor of FrenchSkidmore College
Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What general advice would you give to a University Professor?
Aurelie Matheron: Present yourself as a professional in your cover letter and interviews. The people who interview you will look at you as a future colleague and not a student. Use the past “I” to show what the future “I” will do. Meaning: in your interviews, say “I have developed X courses/projects and I have acquired X skills useful for a collaborative project at your institution. For instance, one project I will develop is XYZ.” You show your experience/expertise and how you will be using your skills. Don’t dwell too much on the “past I” and, I’d say, don’t use the past “we” => “at my former institution, we would do X or Z.” => this shows that you still view yourself as part of that community and don’t project yourself at your new institution. Once you have the job: observe the dynamics of your new work place. Meet with colleagues who also recently got a job at your institution. They will help you navigate the first year.
What University Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Aurelie Matheron: Leadership: you will be in positions of leading a program/department. Learn from current chairs by observing their own skills during meetings and moments of decision. Collaboration: develop interpersonal and interprofessional relationships that will allow you to build collaborative projects (interdepartmental courses, for instance).
What will help University Professors increase their earning potential?
Aurelie Matheron: Do some research online about how much someone earns at your stage of the career. If there is a significant gap, point out (diplomatically) that, because of your extensive experience in XYZ, you would like to get a X% increase in your salary. Be reasonable: if you want a 3% increase, ask for 5% (not 10% or more). Justify your negotiation: why should they pay me more? What experience can I show them to justify my request? If you have a higher offer from another place, you can say that “I have received another generous offer and would like to know about the possibility for matching that offer.” Salary is not the only thing you can negotiate: office space, computer/laptop, sabbaticals, course release, etc. Again, be reasonable: if you think you are entitled to XYZ requests, you also have to show why.
What will help University Professors increase their earning potential?
Jeffrey Doebler Ph.D.: The music field is much more broad than many people realize. Music graduates of Valparaiso University are doing these things... a. music teacher in K-12 school (band, orchestra, choir, general music, handbell choir) b. music therapist c. church musician (organ, choir, soloist, chamber musician) d. university professor (music education, music theory, music performance, music history, administration) e. private lessons teacher f. professional performer (military band, symphony orchestra, professional chorus, soloist, chamber musician, jazz). g. music industry (retail, sales, repairs) h. music industry (concert management, concert hall management, performance planning, music travel planning) i. law (copyright and more) j. community volunteer musician k. recording engineer l. composer (schools, churches, professional organizations, movies, television, video games)
Fabio Lanza
ProfessorAshford University
History
What general advice would you give to a University Professor?
Fabio Lanza: I tell them not to expect that they can achieve the same, old-style academic career (like mine, for example). A tenure-track job in a research university to be clear. Those jobs exist but they are becoming rarer and rarer. I also tell them that if they forecast incurring in serious (or even non-serious) debt in order to get a PhD, they should not do it. They should not pursue that path at all. In the program, they should take all the chances they have to learn new skills, including skills that don't seem directly related to an academic career.
What University Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Fabio Lanza: To put it bluntly, if you want to make money, this is really not the career for you.
What will help University Professors increase their earning potential?
Fabio Lanza: Difficult to say, given how quickly things change. Digital humanities was and still is fashionable and important. Public history (museum, exhibitions, outreach). And teaching.
Marcia Godwin Ph.D.
Professor of Public Administration, Master of Public Administration (MPA) DirectorUniversity of La Verne
College of Business and Public Management
What general advice would you give to a University Professor?
Marcia Godwin Ph.D.: The public sector is unique in having public salary schedules. All employers in California are required to post salary ranges. As a new employee, look for salary ranges that allow for growth and positions that have career ladders. Gaining the skills to move into supervisory and management positions is critical. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement and recommend master's degrees for advancement.
What University Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Marcia Godwin Ph.D.: Adaptability, ethics, and respect for the public are ever-more important. These skills go hand-in-hand with the basics of customer service, analytical work, budgeting and grant management, and keeping up with technology. I have the most professional experience working in local government offices that interact with elected officials and the public. I would seek out applicants who could adapt to a wide variety of situations, were professional in working with others, and had a passion for public service.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for University Professors?
Dr. Jami Taylor: The MPA is a professional degree. You should focus your education toward courses that provide marketable skills. Fully engage with your budgeting class. Learn human resources management. Fundraising is certainly important if you are going into nonprofits.