Salaries/Teacher vs Professor

Teacher vs Professor Salary

Side-by-side 2026 salary comparison across entry-level, mid-level, and senior pay for Teacher and Professor roles in the US.

Bottom line (mid-level, US median)

Professors earn $40,000 (42% more) than Teachers on average.

Teacher vs Professor by City

Location	Teacher (Mid)	Professor (Mid)	Difference
New York	$74K	$128K	$-54K
Los Angeles	$67K	$115K	$-48K
Chicago	$61K	$105K	$-44K
Dallas	$58K	$100K	$-42K
Houston	$57K	$99K	$-42K
Washington D.C.	$70K	$120K	$-50K
Philadelphia	$59K	$102K	$-43K
Atlanta	$58K	$100K	$-42K

Education

Educate students across K-12 or higher education, develop curriculum, and assess learning outcomes.

Education

Teach, research, and publish at the university level.

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