upper level job

College Associate Professor - Music Salary in the United States

How much does a College Associate Professor - Music make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a College Associate Professor - Music in the United States is $76,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, a College Associate Professor - Music's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $98,288
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $68,400 to $88,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $60,843

Key Factors That Influence College Associate Professor - Music Salaries

A College Associate Professor - Music's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do College Associate Professor - Music Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract College Associate Professor - Musics. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $85,000.
  • California: $84,600.
  • Massachusetts: $83,500.

Top Paying Cities for College Associate Professor - Musics

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $96,800
  • San Francisco: $95,700
  • Oakland: $93,700

What Skills Can Increase a College Associate Professor - Music's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 12.5% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Academic Advising (Mentioned in 2.08% Job Postings): Academic advising is, according to the National Academic Advising Association, "a series of intentional interactions with a curriculum, a pedagogy, and a set of student learning outcomes. Academic advising synthesizes and contextualizes students' educational experiences within the frameworks of their aspirations, abilities and lives to extend learning beyond campus boundaries and timeframes."
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 2.08% Job Postings): Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to practical disciplines.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 12.5%
Academic Advising 2.08%
Computer Science 2.08%

College Associate Professor - Music Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

College Associate Professor - Music salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $79,172. While startup companies pay approximate $67,666.

College Associate Professor - Music Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $67,666
Growth Stage 51~500 $71,394
Established 501~5000 $76,624
Enterprise 5000+ $79,172

How Education impacts a College Associate Professor - Music's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many College Associate Professor - Musics enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a College Associate Professor - Music with a Bachelor's Degree is between $73,137 and $84,004).

College Associate Professor - Music Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for College Associate Professor - Music
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.0%
High School 6.0%
Associates 3.0%
Bachelors 13.4%
Masters 49.3%
Doctorate 28.4%

College Associate Professor - Music Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a College Associate Professor - Music's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$68,400
Average $76,700/year
$88,000
$5,700
Average $6,392/month
$7,333
$1,315
Average $1,475/week
$1,692
$33
Average $37/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $88,000 $7,333 $1,692 $42
Average $76,700 $6,392 $1,475 $37
25th Percentile $68,400 $5,700 $1,315 $33

College Associate Professor - Music Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a College Associate Professor - Music, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

College Associate Professor - Music Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
College Professor - Architecture $116,300 52%
College Professor - Biology $101,700 33%
College Professor - Chemical Engineering $141,100 84%
College Professor - Civil Engineering $140,800 84%

Most common benefits for College Associate Professor - Music

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for College Associate Professor - Music

Here are companies hiring for College Associate Professor - Music and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next College Associate Professor - Music Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current College Associate Professor - Music job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about College Associate Professor - Music

1. What does a college music professor do?

A college music professor works with advanced students to enhance their instrumental skills, refine ensemble playing, and broaden their understanding of music theory, composition, repertoire, and improvisation. Salaries for this role typically range from $65,300 to $114,200, with a median salary of $79,700, reflecting the expertise and experience required in this field.

2. Is being a college professor a good job?

Being a college professor can be a rewarding career, both intellectually and financially. With salaries ranging from $65,300 to $114,200, professors generally earn enough to live comfortably and support a family. However, those with similar skills and experience might find higher earning potential in the private sector.

3. Is associate professor a high rank?

Yes, an associate professor is considered a high rank in academia. It is a mid-level, often tenured position that typically follows the assistant professor role. Salaries for associate professors in music range from $65,300 to $114,200, with a median salary of $79,700, reflecting the importance and expertise required for this role.

4. Why are music teachers so expensive?

One of the main reasons behind the high cost of music lessons is the expertise of the instructors. Music teachers, often earning between $65,300 and $114,200, typically hold advanced degrees, reflecting their dedication to both their craft and their students. This level of training and experience contributes to the overall value of music education.

5. What do you need to teach music in college?

To teach music at the college level, you typically need at least a master's degree in music or a related field. Additionally, experience in performance or teaching is valuable. Salaries for college associate professors in music range from $65,300 to $114,200, with a median salary of $79,700, reflecting the importance of advanced qualifications and expertise in the field.

6. What is the highest salary for a music teacher?

The highest salary for a College Associate Professor in Music can reach up to $114,200 annually. This figure reflects the potential earnings for experienced professionals in this field, with a minimum salary of $65,300 and a mid-range salary of $79,700. Salaries may vary based on location and institution.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job