In higher education, professors are appointed at different levels who make up the structure and impart education to the students. However, it took me a lot of time to determine the difference between terms like “Associate Professor” and “Assistant Professor.”
The experience, expertise, and qualification of professors make up the hierarchy and distinguish them from one another. While there are entry-level professors known as Assistant Professors, those with substantial years of experience are called Associate Professors.
If you have completed your post-graduation and are looking for career options in the education sector, your first aim should be to become an Assistant Professor.
Teaching is a highly respectable job and a well-paid profession in India. If you are wondering how much you can earn as an Assistant Professor, I am here to help you with a detailed guide on the Assistant Professor salary!
Through this blog, I’ll discuss in detail the salary structures of various Assistant Professors engaged in different institutions, teaching different subjects, and possessing multiple levels of expertise. I will also draw light on how you can upskill as an Assistant Professor to bag a higher pay scale for the Assistant Professor role. So, keep reading to find out more!
Who is an Assistant Professor?
An Assistant Professor is an entry-level educator in a higher education institution. They are well-versed in conducting research, thereby contributing to the academic community through their presentations and publications.
The primary tasks of an Assistant Professor include mentoring UG and PG students and engaging in research activities.
To be eligible for the post of Assistant Professor, candidates should have a Master’s degree in the subject they want to teach. In addition to that, candidates must also have qualified a State-Level Eligibility Test or National Eligibility Test. However, candidates who have completed their Ph.D. do not have to appear for the UGC NET exam.
The salary of an Assistant Professor depends on various factors, such as the institution they are teaching in, geographical factors, and the level of expertise.
The following section discusses the salary structure of an Assistant Professor.
Assistant Professor Salary in 2024
The average Assistant Professor’s salary varies depending on the candidate’s experience and expertise in the subject. The remuneration also depends on whether the candidate has qualified for UGC NET in India or holds a Ph.D. in the relevant subject.
The salary earned by Assistant Professors teaching in private institutions is also different from that of those teaching in government institutions.
However, talking about the “average salary” provides us with a clearer picture. The table below shows the Assistant Professor’s pay per hour, month, and year (Source: Indeed)
Average Salary Per Hour | USD 32.05 |
Average Salary Per Month | USD 5,302 |
Average Salary Per Year | USD 74,881 |
Assistant Professor Salary: Based on Experience
While determining the Assistant Professor salary, the years of experience a candidate holds play an essential factor. Those with relevant years of experience receive a higher pay than those who have comparatively lesser experience. (Source: Talent.com)
- Beginner: Anyone who has 0-2 years of experience can be tagged as a beginner. An Assistant Professor starting salary is USD 56,168. Although this may seem quite low considering the amount of effort and level of educational eligibility one has to attain to become an assistant professor, this will be your stepping stone towards becoming a successful assistant professor and, finally, an associate professor.
- Intermediate: An Assistant Professor with 2-5 years of experience can be called an intermediate in the field. After spending considerable time in the field and gaining expertise, an intermediate-level Assistant Professor is likely to get USD 70,014.
- Advanced: Assistant Professors with more than 10 years of experience gain an advanced level of expertise. These professionals are senior candidates and are paid an average salary of more than USD 113,102.
Assistant Professor Salary: Based on Location
The average Assistant Professor’s salary varies across different geographical locations. Let me give you a brief idea about the different salary structures of Assistant Professors across various cities in different countries.
A. India
City Name | Average Annual Salary |
New Delhi | INR 9.12 LPA |
Pune | INR 8.90 LPA |
Kolkata | INR 6.84 LPA |
Bangalore | INR 5.60 LPA |
Hyderabad | INR 6.97 LPA |
Chennai | INR 3.60 LPA |
Mumbai | INR 4.80 LPA |
Some institutes and the packages they pay to Assistant Professors:
Institute Name | Average Annual Salary |
Christ University | INR 8.90 LPA |
Manipal University | INR 7.90 LPA |
Delhi University | INR 7.77 LPA |
Amity University | INR 6.02 LPA |
Source: collegedunia
B. US
City Name | Average Annual Salary |
New York City | USD 138,159 |
San Francisco, California | USD 159,487 |
Los Angeles, California | USD 134,515 |
Washington, D.C | USD 123,165 |
Austin, Texas | USD 130,787 |
Source: Glassdoor
Average Assistant Professor salary of different institutes in the US:
Institute Name | Average Annual Salary |
University of Maryland | USD 117,866 |
University of Minnesota | USD 116,783 |
University of Washington | USD 109,645 |
Rutgers University | USD 102,956 |
Source: Indeed
C. UK
City Name | Average Annual Salary |
London | GBP 67,490.79 |
Manchester | GBP 76,556.40 |
Birmingham | GBP 66,918.65 |
Glasgow | GBP 57,811.37 |
Edinburgh | GBP 57,017.23 |
Source: Bing.com
Average salaries paid to Assistant Professors in different institutions in the UK:
Institute Name | Average Annual Salary |
The London School of Economics and Political Science | GBP 81,030.56 |
University of Birmingham | GBP 68,248.14 |
University of Cambridge | GBP 63,672.30 |
University of Warwick | GBP 62,638.39 |
Source: Indeed
D. Australia
City Name | Average Annual Salary |
Sydney | AUD 110,000 |
Melbourne | AUD 110,000 |
Brisbane | AUD 112,568 |
Perth | AUD 107,500 |
Adelaide | AUD 130,000 |
Source: Glassdoor
Average Assistant Professor salary in different institutions in Australia:
Institute Name | Average Annual Salary |
University of Canberra | AUD 123,690 |
University of Birmingham | AUD 121,218 |
Source: Indeed
E. Canada
City Name | Average Annual Salary |
Toronto | CAD 113,027 |
Montreal | CAD 108,650 |
Vancouver | CAD 105,508 |
Calgary | CAD 121,813 |
Ottawa | CAD 110,344 |
Average Assistant Professor jobs salary in different institutions in Canada:
Institute Name | Average Annual Salary |
University of British Columbia | CAD 134,431 |
University of Toronto | CAD 130,095 |
University of Waterloo | CAD 127,479 |
Source: Indeed
F. Singapore
City Name | Average Annual Salary |
Jurong West | SGD 120,000 |
Singapore | SGD 220,000 |
Source: Glassdoor
Average Assistant Professor salary in different institutions in Singapore:
Institute Name | Average Annual Salary |
National University of Singapore | SGD 144,924 |
Singapore University of Technology and Design | SGD 120,228 |
Singapore Institute of Technology | SGD 110,628 |
Source: Indeed
Assistant Professor Salary: Based on Designation
After you have gained enough expertise as an Assistant Professor, you can step up the hierarchy ladder and attain positions like Associate Professors, Professors, and even HODs.
Now that you have an idea about the college and university Assistant Professor salary let me take you through the designation-wise salary figures an Assistant Professor is likely to get gradually after promotion:
Designation | Average Annual Salary |
Associate Professor | USD 93,446 |
Professor | USD 97,400 |
HOD | USD 87,961 |
Source: Indeed
Assistant Professor Salary: Based on Related Fields
The average salaries of professors teaching various disciplines differ from one another. Here’s how:
Engineering | USD 95,000 (Source: Talent.com) |
English | USD 66,601 (Source: Salary.com) |
Commerce | USD 56,238 (Source: Comparably) |
Computer Science | USD 89,803 (Source: Zippia) |
Factors Affecting Assistant Professor Salary
Assistant Professors teaching various disciplines are likely to be paid differently. Those who are engaged in the STEM field are more likely to receive commanding salaries. On the other hand, other factors affecting Assistant Professor pay include the research accomplishments of the individual, the number of years they have been teaching, etc.
Listed below are some of the factors that are responsible for determining the salary an Assistant Professor draws:
1. Location
As mentioned above, an individual’s location also impacts his salary. For instance, those teaching in metropolitan cities claim comparatively higher pay than the ones appointed in tier 2 or 3 cities.
Not only this, but packages also vary from one city to another. For instance, an Assistant Professor teaching in a renowned institution in California gets an average salary of USD 93,399, whereas the salary for the same role in Connecticut is USD 73,523 (Source: Talent.com)
This may be because a lot of youngsters prefer pursuing their higher education in Delhi.
2. Industry / Employer / Company
Different institutions have different pay scales for Assistant Professors. Therefore, the institution you are teaching in also plays a vital role in deciding your salary. For example, a renowned educational institution will offer a higher pay package to its Assistant Professors than a college with lower ranking and prominence.
3. Experience
Just like every other profession, Assistant Professor’s job salary also depends on the number of years they have devoted to service and the experience they have gathered over time.
As a beginner, you are likely to get paid USD 56,168. Gradually, as you continue to teach and accumulate 2-5 years of experience, you will be paid approximately USD 70,014 annually.
Once you have attained more than 10 years of experience as an Assistant Professor, you may be eligible to get as much as USD 113,102 (Source: Talent.com)
4. Demand and Supply
The thumb rule of demand and supply applies to this profession as well. If you hold a degree in a subject that is unique and not pursued by many people, it is evident that your skills and knowledge will be in high demand, and you will be paid more.
5. Credentials / Certifications
Certifications validate your skills and knowledge. If you have upskilled yourself over the years while working as an Assistant Professor and acquired more new certifications, you will be paid more.
For instance, opportunities like KnowledgeHut Computer courses can be an exceptional addition to your resume, further highlighting your efficiency with tech innovations and skill sets relevant to your field. Designed for learners already engaged in some profession, programs at KnowledgeHut have genuinely been a game-changer!
6. Skills
The skills and knowledge you possess will earn you a rewarding career as an Assistant Professor. As you hone your skills in any discipline, you will be paid more. Furthermore, you can also claim better-paying opportunities if you have an evolved skillset aligning with the current job market.
How to Improve Assistant Professor Salary?
Looking forward to a hike as an Assistant Professor? Here are some ways you can add weight to your CV and upskill yourself.
- Skills: In my opinion, one of the critical requirements for any professional these days to keep pace with the ever-changing requirements is to constantly upgrade and upskill.
Assistant Professors can enroll in skill enhancement training and courses to help them emerge as successful leaders in the education domain. It is advisable that aspiring Assistant Professors take part in workshops, online courses, and seminars that can lead to salary increments and give them recognition.
- Certifications: I am very fond of certification courses as they provide an edge to your skillset without taking much time. There are plenty of certification courses available online as well as offline. Assistant Professors can consider enrolling in certification courses that will add weight to their CV.
You may enroll in a certification course that is relevant to the discipline that you are currently engaged in, or certification courses may also help you transition into a different discipline.
For instance, if you are a Mathematics professor and you wish to hone your computer skills, you can look for Computer courses online, which will help you gain an additional skill.
- Degrees: The higher your educational degrees are, the better your chances of acquiring a higher position as an Assistant Professor will be. This will not only deepen your expertise on the matter but also prepare you for administrative positions with better salaries and perks.
Additionally, an Assistant Professor needs to expand their connections, participate in seminars and conferences, and publish research papers to strengthen their network and skills equally.
Why are Assistant Professors Paid So Much?
After going through the article, you must now have a clear idea that Assistant Professors are paid competitive salaries due to several factors.
They hold advanced educational degrees that speak volumes about their knowledge and expertise. They also have remarkable research and analytical abilities, which help them contribute to the institutions they are engaged in through publications.
Considering the stiff competition among academic institutions, they always try to attract the best talents to keep up with quality standards. Therefore, institutions pay decent amounts to candidates with specialized skills and research expertise to deliver the best quality education.
Final Words
Hope you are done visiting Assistant Professor salary at different levels, fields, designations, etc. Aspiring educators should understand the importance of continuous skill development in the form of advanced degrees and certification courses.
With regular upskilling through certifications and courses, Assistant Professors can aim for higher positions. At KnowledgeHut, there are a plethora of certification courses that can help Assistant Professors and other professionals enhance their skills and gain a competitive edge in the education sector.
Therefore, prepare to take the big leap in your career journey and unlock new possibilities in your financial and professional growth!