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College Associate Professor - Music Salary in the United States

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

As of August 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): $68,300 to $88,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $60,652
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View as table View as graph 25% $68,300 10% $60,652 90% $98,288 75% $88,000 $76,700 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

College Associate Professor - Music Salaries by Percentile

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 $68,300 $5,692 $1,313 $33
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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 your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects College Associate Professor - Music Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a College Associate Professor - Music's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • College Instructor - Music (0-0 years): $57,408
  • College Assistant Professor - Music (0-0 years): $66,597
  • College Associate Professor - Music (0-0 years): $76,661
  • College Professor - Music (0-0 years): $99,840
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
College Instructor - Music0-0 years$57,408
College Assistant Professor - Music0-0 years$66,597
College Associate Professor - Music0-0 years$76,661
College Professor - Music0-0 years$99,840
$57,408 College I...
$66,597 College A...
$76,661 College A...
$99,840 College P...
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What Am I Worth?

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: $84,900.
  • 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: $96,700
  • 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.
See More Skills
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 $79,154. While startup companies pay approximate $67,635.

College Associate Professor - Music Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$67,635
Growth Stage51~500$71,360
Established501~5000$76,627
Enterprise5000+$79,154

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%
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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 August 01, 2026

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 $116,200 51%
College Professor - Biology $101,600 32%
College Professor - Chemical Engineering $141,000 84%
College Professor - Civil Engineering $140,700 83%

Salary Trends for College Associate Professor - Music

Salaries for a College Associate Professor - Music can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $55,867 in 2023 to around $53,962 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of College Associate Professor - Music salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of College Associate Professor - Music Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$55,867
2024
$55,153
2025
$53,962
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $55,867
2024 $55,153
2025 $53,962
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for College Associate Professor - Music

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

United States
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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.

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