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Science Professor Salary in the United States

How much does a Science Professor make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Science Professor in the United States is $90,102 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $104,733
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $82,609 to $97,761
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $75,786
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Science Professor Salaries

A Science Professor'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 Science Professor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Science Professor'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $67,239
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $76,315
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $91,663
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $106,721
  • Expert (over 8 years): $115,412
Levels Salary
Financial... Level Science Professor$67,239
Financial... Level Science Professor$76,315
Science P... Level Science Professor$91,663
Financial... Level Science Professor$106,721
Financial... Level Science Professor$115,412
View as Graph

How Do Science Professor 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 Science Professors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $99,761.
  • California: $99,383.
  • Massachusetts: $98,058.

Top Paying Cities for Science Professors

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: $113,646
  • San Francisco: $112,402
  • Oakland: $110,033

What Skills Can Increase a Science Professor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.95% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • General Ledger (Mentioned in 2.29% Job Postings): Creating and keeping track of business transactions and activities to monitor financial operations.
  • Financial Accounting (Mentioned in 1.19% Job Postings): Financial accounting (or financial accountancy) is the field of accounting concerned with the summary, analysis and reporting of financial transactions related to a business. This involves the preparation of financial statements available for public use. Stockholders, suppliers, banks, employees, government agencies, business owners, and other stakeholders are examples of people interested in receiving such information for decision making purposes. Financial accountancy is governed by both local and international accounting standards. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) is the standard framework of guidelines for financial accounting used in any given jurisdiction. It includes the standards, conventions and rules that accountants follow in recording and summarizing and in the preparation of financial statements. On the other hand, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is a set of passionable accounting standards stating how particular types of transactions and other events should be reported in financial statements. IFRS are issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). With IFRS becoming more widespread on the international scene, consistency in financial reporting has become more prevalent between global organizations.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.95%
General Ledger 2.29%
Financial Accounting 1.19%
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 Science Professor's salary.

  • Hyperion: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Treasury: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Hyperion $95,508
6%
Project Management $95,508
6%
Treasury $94,607
5%
Get Latest Data

Science Professor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Science Professor roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Science Professor positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Science Professor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Science Professor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$99,113$48.010%

How Education impacts a Science Professor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Science Professors 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 Science Professor with a Bachelor's Degree is between $96,238 and $102,248).

Science Professor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Science Professor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.3%
High School 58.1%
Associates 4.3%
Bachelors 58.1%
Masters 36.6%
Doctorate 1.1%
View as Graph

Science Professor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Science Professor'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
$82,609
Average $90,102/year
$97,761
$6,884
Average $7,509/month
$8,147
$1,589
Average $1,733/week
$1,880
$40
Average $43/hour
$47
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $97,761 $8,147 $1,880 $47
Average $90,102 $7,509 $1,733 $43
25th Percentile $82,609 $6,884 $1,589 $40

Most common benefits for Science Professor

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

Common company salaries for Science Professor

Here are companies hiring for Science Professor and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Science Professor

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Science Professor?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Science Professor roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

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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