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College Professor - Communication Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a College Professor - Communication in the United States is $100,100 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $129,139
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $87,700 to $115,300
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $76,410
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence College Professor - Communication Salaries

A College Professor - Communication'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 Professor - Communication 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 Professor - Communications. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $110,900.
  • California: $110,400.
  • Massachusetts: $109,000.

Top Paying Cities for College Professor - Communications

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: $126,300
  • San Francisco: $124,900
  • Oakland: $122,300

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 6.16% 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.
  • Data Analysis (Mentioned in 2.74% Job Postings): Data analysis is a process of inspecting, cleansing, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making. Data analysis has multiple facets and approaches, encompassing diverse techniques under a variety of names, and is used in different business, science, and social science domains. In today's business world, data analysis plays a role in making decisions more scientific and helping businesses operate more effectively. Data mining is a particular data analysis technique that focuses on modeling and knowledge discovery for predictive rather than purely descriptive purposes, while business intelligence covers data analysis that relies heavily on aggregation, focusing mainly on business information. In statistical applications, data analysis can be divided into descriptive statistics, exploratory data analysis (EDA), and confirmatory data analysis (CDA). EDA focuses on discovering new features in the data while CDA focuses on confirming or falsifying existing hypotheses. Predictive analytics focuses on application of statistical models for predictive forecasting or classification, while text analytics applies statistical, linguistic, and structural techniques to extract and classify information from textual sources, a species of unstructured data. All of the above are varieties of data analysis.
  • Consulting Services (Mentioned in 1.37% Job Postings): Consulting Services means the provision of expertise or strategic advice that is presented for consideration and decision-making.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 6.16%
Data Analysis 2.74%
Consulting Services 1.37%
See More Skills

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 Professor - Communication's salary.

  • Patient Care: Can increase your salary by up to 36%.
  • Alignment: Can increase your salary by up to 34%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 34%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Patient Care $136,136
36%
Alignment $134,134
34%
Consulting $134,134
34%
Get Latest Data

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

College Professor - Communication salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $103,344. While startup companies pay approximate $88,252.

College Professor - Communication Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $88,252
Growth Stage 51~500 $93,131
Established 501~5000 $100,023
Enterprise 5000+ $103,344

College Professor - Communication Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For College Professor - Communication 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, Education, offers compensation 18% above the average. Conversely, College Professor - Communication positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view College Professor - Communication as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a College Professor - Communication

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Education$117,978$57.018%

How Education impacts a College Professor - Communication's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many College Professor - Communications enter the field with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 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 Professor - Communication with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $101,788 and $126,134).

College Professor - Communication Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for College Professor - Communication
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.3%
High School 43.8%
Associates 50.0%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 43.8%
Doctorate 50.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a College Professor - Communication'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 September 01, 2026
$87,700
Average $100,100/year
$115,300
$7,308
Average $8,342/month
$9,608
$1,687
Average $1,925/week
$2,217
$42
Average $48/hour
$55
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $115,300 $9,608 $2,217 $55
Average $100,100 $8,342 $1,925 $48
25th Percentile $87,700 $7,308 $1,687 $42

Most common benefits for College Professor - Communication

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

Common company salaries for College Professor - Communication

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

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FAQ about College Professor - Communication

1. What industry pays the highest salary for College Professor - Communication?

The Education industry offers the highest average compensation for College Professor - Communication roles, with salaries approximately 18% above the market median.

2. How much earns a Harvard professor?

A Harvard professor in the field of Communication typically earns between $86,600 and $168,200 annually, with a median salary around $107,500. This range reflects the competitive nature of academic salaries at prestigious institutions like Harvard.

3. What does a communications professor do?

A communications professor teaches courses in various areas, including organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. The salary for this role typically ranges from $86,600 to $168,200, with a median salary of $107,500, reflecting the expertise and experience required in the field.

4. How much do college professors with a master's degree make?

College professors in Communication typically earn between $86,600 and $168,200 annually, with a median salary of $107,500. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and institution types, indicating that a graduate college professor can expect a competitive salary in this field.

5. Is being a college professor a good job?

Being a college professor can be a rewarding career, with salaries ranging from $86,600 to $168,200, depending on experience and institution. While professors earn a comfortable living, those with similar skills might find higher-paying opportunities in the private sector. Ultimately, the decision depends on personal values and career goals.

6. How much does a 1st year college professor make?

A 1st year college professor typically earns a salary within the range of $86,600 to $107,500, with the potential to reach up to $168,200 as they gain experience. This suggests that entry-level positions offer a competitive salary, especially when compared to other regions.

7. Is university professor a stressful job?

The role of a university professor, particularly in communication, can be quite stressful due to intense competition and job security concerns, especially for non-tenured junior faculty. With salaries ranging from $86,600 to $168,200, the financial pressures can add to this stress, impacting overall wellbeing. Balancing academic responsibilities and personal life is crucial for managing stress effectively.

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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