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College Instructor - Liberal Arts Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a College Instructor - Liberal Arts in the United States is $60,800 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $76,466
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,600 to $69,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,134
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View as table View as graph 25% $52,600 10% $45,134 90% $76,466 75% $69,000 $60,800 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

College Instructor - Liberal Arts Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $69,000 $5,750 $1,327 $33
Average $60,800 $5,067 $1,169 $29
25th Percentile $52,600 $4,383 $1,012 $25
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Key Factors That Influence College Instructor - Liberal Arts Salaries

A College Instructor - Liberal Arts'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 - Liberal Arts Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a College Instructor - Liberal Arts'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 - Liberal Arts (0-0 years): $60,765
  • College Assistant Professor - Liberal Arts (0-0 years): $67,498
  • College Associate Professor - Liberal Arts (0-0 years): $81,807
  • College Professor - Liberal Arts (0-0 years): $103,752
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
College Instructor - Liberal Arts0-0 years$60,765
College Assistant Professor - Liberal Arts0-0 years$67,498
College Associate Professor - Liberal Arts0-0 years$81,807
College Professor - Liberal Arts0-0 years$103,752
$60,765 College I...
$67,498 College A...
$81,807 College A...
$103,752 College P...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for College Instructor - Liberal Arts

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: $76,700
  • San Francisco: $75,900
  • Oakland: $74,300

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 10.84% 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.
  • Tutoring (Mentioned in 2.37% Job Postings): A Tutor is responsible for helping students learn and understand new concepts and complete assignments.
  • Visual Arts (Mentioned in 1.75% Job Postings): The visual arts are art forms such as painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video, filmmaking, design, crafts and architecture.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 10.84%
Tutoring 2.37%
Visual Arts 1.75%
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 - Liberal Arts's salary.
  • Coaching Others: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Pediatric: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Facilitation: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching Others
$68,096
12%
Pediatric
$66,880
10%
Facilitation
$63,840
5%
Flexibility
$63,840
5%
Analysis
$63,840
5%
Chemistry
$63,840
5%
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College Instructor - Liberal Arts Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

College Instructor - Liberal Arts salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $62,746. While startup companies pay approximate $53,615.

College Instructor - Liberal Arts Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$53,615
Growth Stage51~500$56,567
Established501~5000$60,742
Enterprise5000+$62,746

How Education impacts a College Instructor - Liberal Arts's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many College Instructor - Liberal Arts 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 - Liberal Arts with a Bachelor's Degree is between $54,472 and $61,778).

College Instructor - Liberal Arts Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for College Instructor - Liberal Arts
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.9%
High School 17.1%
Associates 2.9%
Bachelors 17.1%
Masters 71.4%
Doctorate 8.6%
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College Instructor - Liberal Arts Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a College Instructor - Liberal Arts, 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 - Liberal Arts Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
College Assistant Professor - Architecture $72,300 19%
College Assistant Professor - Biology $71,100 17%
College Assistant Professor - Chemical Engineering $96,300 58%
College Assistant Professor - Civil Engineering $90,500 49%

Salary Trends for College Instructor - Liberal Arts

Salaries for a College Instructor - Liberal Arts 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 - Liberal Arts salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of College Instructor - Liberal Arts 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 - Liberal Arts

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

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

Find Your Next College Instructor - Liberal Arts Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current College Instructor - Liberal Arts 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 Instructor - Liberal Arts

1. What is the highest paid BA degree?

The highest-paying bachelor's degrees typically include fields like Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Finance. However, for those pursuing a career as a College Instructor in Liberal Arts, the salary ranges from a minimum of $49,300 to a mid-salary of $58,800, with a maximum potential salary of $82,400.

2. Do college professors get paid more than teachers?

College instructors in Liberal Arts typically earn between $49,300 and $82,400, with a median salary of $58,800. Generally, professors earn more than K-12 teachers, but salaries can vary based on factors like field of study, rank, and the type of institution.

3. Which arts degree pays the most?

While various arts degrees can lead to lucrative careers, a College Instructor in Liberal Arts typically earns between $49,300 and $82,400 annually, with a median salary of $58,800. Other high-paying roles include Art Directors and Interior Designers, but the salary for instructors reflects the demand for education in the arts.

4. What is the highest paying liberal arts degree?

The highest paying liberal arts degree can lead to roles such as software engineer, with a national average salary of $108,896. Other lucrative positions include database administrator and sales engineer. For college instructors in liberal arts, salaries range from $49,300 to $82,400, with a mid-salary of $58,800, reflecting the diverse opportunities within the field.

5. What type of college professor makes the most money?

College instructors in liberal arts earn between $49,300 and $82,400, with a median salary of $58,800. While this is lower than some specialized fields, such as law or health specialties, liberal arts professors play a crucial role in shaping critical thinking and communication skills in students.

6. Where do art teachers make the most money?

Art teachers can earn varying salaries depending on their location. Based on the salary data for College Instructors in Liberal Arts, the minimum salary is $49,300, the mid-range salary is $58,800, and the maximum salary can reach $82,400. Cities with higher salaries for art teachers may offer compensation that aligns with or exceeds these figures.

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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