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College Instructor - Biology Salary in the United States

How much does a College Instructor - Biology make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a College Instructor - Biology in the United States is $64,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $80,621
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,400 to $72,700
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,570
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View as table View as graph 25% $55,400 10% $47,570 90% $80,621 75% $72,700 $64,000 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

College Instructor - Biology Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $72,700 $6,058 $1,398 $35
Average $64,000 $5,333 $1,231 $31
25th Percentile $55,400 $4,617 $1,065 $27
Check out College Instructor - Biology Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence College Instructor - Biology Salaries

A College Instructor - Biology'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 Instructor - Biology Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a College Instructor - Biology'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 - Biology (0-0 years): $63,987
  • College Assistant Professor - Biology (0-0 years): $71,050
  • College Associate Professor - Biology (0-0 years): $78,980
  • College Professor - Biology (0-0 years): $101,591
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
College Instructor - Biology0-0 years$63,987
College Assistant Professor - Biology0-0 years$71,050
College Associate Professor - Biology0-0 years$78,980
College Professor - Biology0-0 years$101,591
$63,987 College I...
$71,050 College A...
$78,980 College A...
$101,591 College P...
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What Am I Worth?

How Do College Instructor - Biology 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 Instructor - Biologies. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $70,900.
  • California: $70,600.
  • Massachusetts: $69,700.

Top Paying Cities for College Instructor - Biologies

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: $80,800
  • San Francisco: $79,900
  • Oakland: $78,200

What Skills Can Increase a College Instructor - Biology's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 12.72% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Law Enforcement (Mentioned in 2.15% Job Postings): Law enforcement is any system by which some members of society act in an organized manner to enforce the law by discovering, deterring, rehabilitating, or punishing people who violate the rules and norms governing that society. Although the term encompasses entities such as courts and prisons, it is most frequently applied to those who directly engage in patrols or surveillance to dissuade and discover criminal activity, and those who investigate crimes and apprehend offenders, a task typically carried out by the police or another law enforcement organization. Furthermore, although law enforcement may be most concerned with the prevention and punishment of crimes, organizations exist to discourage a wide variety of non-criminal violations of rules and norms, effected through the imposition of less severe consequences.
  • Pediatric (Mentioned in 1.4% Job Postings): Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 12.72%
Law Enforcement 2.15%
Pediatric 1.4%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a College Instructor - Biology's salary.
  • Coaching Others: Can increase your salary by up to 36%.
  • Pediatric: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Customer Service: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching Others
$87,040
36%
Pediatric
$69,760
9%
Customer Service
$69,120
8%
Attention to Detail
$69,120
8%
First Aid
$68,480
7%
Verbal Communication
$68,480
7%
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College Instructor - Biology Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

College Instructor - Biology salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $66,048. While startup companies pay approximate $56,436.

College Instructor - Biology Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$56,436
Growth Stage51~500$59,544
Established501~5000$63,939
Enterprise5000+$66,048

College Instructor - Biology Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For College Instructor - Biology roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 32% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Government, offers compensation 18% above the average. Conversely, College Instructor - Biology positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view College Instructor - Biology as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a College Instructor - Biology

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Government$75,456$36.018%

How Education impacts a College Instructor - Biology's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many College Instructor - Biologies 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 Instructor - Biology with a Bachelor's Degree is between $50,990 and $58,219).

College Instructor - Biology Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for College Instructor - Biology
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.2%
High School 1.2%
Associates 1.2%
Bachelors 18.3%
Masters 53.7%
Doctorate 25.6%
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College Instructor - Biology Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a College Instructor - Biology'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 Instructor - Biology Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a College Instructor - Biology, 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 Instructor - Biology Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
College Assistant Professor - Architecture $72,300 13%
College Assistant Professor - Biology $71,100 11%
College Assistant Professor - Chemical Engineering $96,300 50%
College Assistant Professor - Civil Engineering $90,500 41%

Salary Trends for College Instructor - Biology

Salaries for a College Instructor - Biology 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 Instructor - Biology salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of College Instructor - Biology 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 Instructor - Biology

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for College Instructor - Biology

Here are companies hiring for College Instructor - Biology and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next College Instructor - Biology Job

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

United States
  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Payments Engineering. About the Company. Globally-recognized provider of corporate payment solutions. Industry. Financial Services. Type. P... more

    21 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Senior Vice President of Project Delivery. About the Company. A multi-billion-dollar construction organization with collaborative, servant-minded leadershi... more

    21 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Chief of Staff. About the Company. Innovative travel platform for booking & managing work trips. Industry. Computer Software. Type. Privately Held, VC-back... more

    21 Days Ago

  • McDonalds

    Columbus, OH

    McDonalds | Columbus, OH

    McDonald’s is seeking Crew Team Members to assist with daily restaurant operations including customer service, food preparation, and maintaining restaurant... more

    28 Days Ago

  • Amazon Flex

    Columbus, OH

    Amazon Flex | Columbus, OH

    Amazon Flex Delivery Drivers use their own vehicle to deliver Amazon packages to customers on scheduled delivery blocks. Drivers are responsible for pickin... more

    28 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Commercial. About the Company. Globally-recognized manufacturer of packaging components & delivery systems for injectable drugs. Industry. ... more

    1 Month Ago

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FAQ about College Instructor - Biology

1. What industry pays the highest salary for College Instructor - Biology?

The Government industry offers the highest average compensation for College Instructor - Biology roles, with salaries approximately 18% above the market median.

2. Which subject teacher makes the most money?

Among college instructors, those teaching biology earn a salary range from $45,300 to $76,800, with a mid-salary of $55,600. While this is competitive, it is lower than the highest-paid positions such as law and health specialties teachers, who earn significantly more, with average salaries exceeding $130,000.

3. How much does someone with a PHD in biology make?

A College Instructor in Biology typically earns between $45,300 and $76,800, with a median salary of around $55,600. While those with a PhD in specialized fields like biochemistry or microbiology may earn higher salaries, the range for college instructors reflects the academic environment and experience level.

4. Do college professors get paid more than teachers?

College professors typically earn more than teachers. For instance, a college instructor in Biology has a salary range from $45,300 to $76,800, with a median salary of $55,600. Factors such as field of study, rank, and the type of institution can influence these salaries, but they generally exceed those of K-12 teachers.

5. What is the highest paid teacher in the USA?

The highest paid college instructors in biology can earn up to $76,800 annually, with a minimum salary of $45,300 and a mid-range salary of $55,600. While states like New York lead in overall teacher salaries, specific figures for biology instructors may vary significantly across different regions.

6. Do you need a PhD to be an adjunct professor?

Many four-year colleges and universities typically require a PhD to qualify for an adjunct professor role. In contrast, two-year community colleges often accept candidates with a master's degree. Salaries for college instructors in biology range from $45,300 to $76,800, with a median salary of $55,600, reflecting the varying educational requirements.

7. How much do college instructors make per class?

College instructors in biology typically earn between $45,300 and $76,800 annually, with a mid-salary of $55,600. For part-time instructors, pay can be around $1,700 per unit per semester. Therefore, teaching a typical four-unit class could yield approximately $6,800 per semester, aligning with the overall salary range for this position.

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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