Faculty Salary By Academic Rank at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
The 2025 average faculty salary is $119,122 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus across all academic ranks. Penn State's faculty salary increased by 5.39% compared to the 2024 salary.
At Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, by academic rank:
- The average professor salary is $175,813, representing a 6.47% increase from the previous year (+$10,685).
- The average associate professor salary is $122,214, representing a 7.37% increase from the previous year (+$8,386).
- The average assistant professor salary is $113,421, representing a 8.45% increase from the previous year (+$8,833).
- The average instructor salary is $81,060, representing a 7.83% increase from the previous year (+$5,885).
- The average lecturer salary is $51,416, representing a 2.91% increase from the previous year (+$1,456).
- The average no academic rank salary is $154,177, representing a 16.95% increase from the previous year (+$22,342).
Average Salary by Academic Rank Chart
This chart summarizes average faculty salary by academic rank at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus for the most recent year and the prior year.
The side-by-side bars compare current versus previous salaries for each rank, while the line shows the percentage change to highlight increases, decreases, or no change.
Faculty Salary By Gender
The following tables show the average faculty salary by academic rank and gender at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.
At Penn State, the average male faculty's salary is $130,194 and female faculty's is $103,910. The difference in salary between male and female faculty $26,284, with male faculty' annual salary being 25.29% higher than that of female faculty.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $119,122 +$6,095 (5.39%) |
$130,194 +$5,472 (4.39%) |
$103,910 +$6,410 (6.57%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $122,482 +$5,209 (4.44%) |
$133,791 +$5,255 (4.09%) |
$106,708 +$5,195 (5.12%) |
| 10-Month Contract | $162,904 +$13,041 (8.70%) |
$174,041 +$15,684 (9.90%) |
$137,847 +$5,578 (4.22%) |
| 11-Month Contract | $136,247 -$5,835 (-4.11%) |
$177,481 -$24,817 (-12.27%) |
$118,575 +$6,602 (5.90%) |
| 12-Month Contract | $109,947 +$7,162 (6.97%) |
$115,601 +$4,794 (4.33%) |
$103,110 +$7,573 (7.93%) |
The average salary for Penn State's 766 Professor is $175,813. By gender, the average male professor salary is $179,934, and that of female professor is $164,307. The salary difference between male and female professor is $15,627, which means male professor's salary is 9.51% higher than female professor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $175,813 +$10,685 (6.47%) |
$179,934 +$9,699 (5.70%) |
$164,307 +$12,640 (8.33%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $176,140 +$8,940 (5.35%) |
$179,940 +$9,003 (5.27%) |
$165,587 +$8,688 (5.54%) |
| 10-Month Contract | $205,538 +$5,517 (2.76%) |
$209,552 +$537 (0.26%) |
$186,808 +$13,768 (7.96%) |
| 11-Month Contract | $254,592 -$11,687 (-4.39%) |
$254,592 -$11,687 (-4.39%) |
- |
| 12-Month Contract | $195,862 +$44,836 (29.69%) |
$214,539 +$41,011 (23.63%) |
$161,622 +$34,170 (26.81%) |
The average salary for Penn State's 446 Associate professor is $122,214. By gender, the average male associate professor salary is $124,862, and that of female associate professor is $118,478. The salary difference between male and female associate professor is $6,384, which means male associate professor's salary is 5.39% higher than female associate professor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $122,214 +$8,386 (7.37%) |
$124,862 +$7,612 (6.49%) |
$118,478 +$9,286 (8.50%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $121,983 +$6,188 (5.34%) |
$124,686 +$5,536 (4.65%) |
$118,188 +$6,962 (6.26%) |
| 10-Month Contract | $170,752 +$19,701 (13.04%) |
$177,163 +$23,297 (15.14%) |
$161,136 +$14,776 (10.10%) |
| 11-Month Contract | No Associate professor with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | $88,596 -$6,006 (-6.35%) |
$88,596 -$7,873 (-8.16%) |
- - |
The average salary for Penn State's 407 Assistant professor is $113,421. By gender, the average male assistant professor salary is $118,309, and that of female assistant professor is $108,556. The salary difference between male and female assistant professor is $9,753, which means male assistant professor's salary is 8.98% higher than female assistant professor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $113,421 +$8,833 (8.45%) |
$118,309 +$7,847 (7.10%) |
$108,556 +$9,794 (9.92%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $113,757 +$6,902 (6.46%) |
$118,332 +$6,955 (6.24%) |
$109,112 +$7,016 (6.87%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No Assistant professor with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No Assistant professor with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | $121,252 +$40,751 (50.62%) |
$151,440 +$62,711 (70.68%) |
$115,214 +$36,879 (47.08%) |
The average salary for Penn State's 952 Instructor is $81,060. By gender, the average male instructor salary is $85,463, and that of female instructor is $76,802. The salary difference between male and female instructor is $8,661, which means male instructor's salary is 11.28% higher than female instructor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $81,060 +$5,885 (7.83%) |
$85,463 +$5,667 (7.10%) |
$76,802 +$5,672 (7.97%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $81,088 +$6,432 (8.62%) |
$86,412 +$6,472 (8.10%) |
$76,140 +$6,061 (8.65%) |
| 10-Month Contract | $117,961 +$9,111 (8.37%) |
$123,388 +$10,772 (9.57%) |
$110,209 +$7,276 (7.07%) |
| 11-Month Contract | $115,362 +$9,441 (8.91%) |
$100,370 +$4,707 (4.92%) |
$118,575 +$10,602 (9.82%) |
| 12-Month Contract | $103,808 +$5,065 (5.13%) |
$107,288 +$4,248 (4.12%) |
$99,676 +$5,011 (5.29%) |
The average salary for Penn State's 98 Lecturer is $51,416. By gender, the average male lecturer salary is $55,184, and that of female lecturer is $47,943. The salary difference between male and female lecturer is $7,241, which means male lecturer's salary is 15.10% higher than female lecturer's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $51,416 +$1,456 (2.91%) |
$55,184 +$1,763 (3.30%) |
$47,943 +$1,445 (3.11%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $50,899 +$2,124 (4.35%) |
$54,351 +$1,534 (2.90%) |
$47,940 +$3,126 (6.98%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No Lecturer with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No Lecturer with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | $77,507 +$9,910 (14.66%) |
$82,907 +$8,437 (11.33%) |
$64,008 +$4,658 (7.85%) |
The average salary for Penn State's 11 No academic rank is $154,177. By gender, the average male no academic rank salary is $156,590, and that of female no academic rank is $147,741. The salary difference between male and female no academic rank is $8,849, which means male no academic rank's salary is 5.99% higher than female no academic rank's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $154,177 +$22,342 (16.95%) |
$156,590 +$16,813 (12.03%) |
$147,741 +$30,797 (26.33%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $169,360 +$28,630 (20.34%) |
$165,075 +$21,855 (15.26%) |
$184,356 +$49,434 (36.64%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No academic rank with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No academic rank with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | $114,468 +$17,760 (18.36%) |
$129,588 +$7,488 (6.13%) |
$99,348 +$15,336 (18.25%) |
Faculty Salary Changes over Past 5 Years
The average salary for Penn State faculty has increased 14.16%, from $102,250 to $119,122. Professor salaries increased by 14.98%, associate professor salaries increased by 18.63%, and assistant professor salaries increased by 30.61% at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.
| Year | All Faculty | Professor | Associate Professor | Assistant Professor | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,250 | $149,472 | $99,451 | $78,700 | $50,735 |
| 2020 | $97,442 | $147,286 1.46% | $97,420 2.04% | $77,578 1.43% | $53,141 4.74% |
| 2023 | $81,577 | $123,926 | $74,474 | $56,397 | $33,251 |
| 2024 | $113,027 | $165,128 33.25% | $113,828 52.84% | $104,588 85.45% | $75,175 126.08% |
| 2025 | $119,122 | $175,813 6.47% | $122,214 7.37% | $113,421 8.45% | $81,060 7.83% |
| 5 Years Change | $16,872 14.16% | $26,341 14.98% | $22,763 18.63% | $34,721 30.61% | $30,325 37.41% |
Faculty Salary Trends Chart by Academic Rank
This interactive faculty salary trends chart shows year-by-year average salaries for all faculty, professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and instructors at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. It highlights long-term salary growth, rank-by-rank changes, and historical comparisons to help evaluate compensation trends and academic rank salary patterns over the past 5 years.
How Penn State Faculty Salary Compared?
Penn State's average faculty salary is $119,122. Penn State's faculty salary is much higher than the national average faculty salary at four-years colleges ($73,709). Its salary is also well above the average salary ($80,625) of four-years colleges in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a R1: Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification. When compared R1: Doctoral Universities, its salary is slightly lower than national average as well as Pennsylvania average.
| Average Faculty Salary | |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | $119,122 |
| R1: Doctoral Universities | $128,754 |
| Pennsylvania R1: Doctoral Universities | $126,408 |
| National Average (Four-years Colleges) | $73,709 |
| Four-years Pennsylvania Colleges | $80,625 |
Similar Schools' Faculty Salary
Compared to similar colleges such as Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Great Valley and Temple University, Penn State's faculty salary is slightly higher than the average salary ($108,336). You can compare the salary to analyze or make a decision.
| Average Faculty Salary | Number of Faculty | |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | $119,122 | 4,838 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Great Valley Malvern, PA | $120,336 | 60 |
| Temple University Philadelphia, PA | $111,913 | 3,519 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA | $110,119 | 5,332 |
| Pennsylvania State University-World Campus University Park, PA | $108,513 | 2 |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg, PA | $108,299 | 300 |
| Pennsylvania Western University California, PA | $106,916 | 611 |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus Indiana, PA | $106,890 | 581 |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PA | $105,664 | 643 |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, PA | $103,777 | 383 |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA | $100,929 | 912 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Faculty Salary at Penn State
Here are some frequently asked questions about faculty salary at Penn State, along with detailed answers based on the latest available data.
What is the average faculty salary at Penn State?
The average faculty salary at Penn State is $119,122 for the most recent year with available data. By academic rank, the average salaries are as follows:
- Professors: $175,813
- Associate Professors: $122,214
- Assistant Professors: $113,421
- Instructors: $81,060
- Lecturers: $51,416
How does Penn State's faculty salary compare to similar schools?
Compared to similar schools, such as Penn State Great Valley, Temple, Pitt and 7 other similar schools, Penn State's average faculty salary is slightly higher than the average salary of similar institutions, which is $108,336. Compare them in the table above.
How does Penn State's faculty salary compare to four-years colleges nationally?
Compared to four-years colleges nationally, Penn State's average faculty salary is much higher than the average salary of four-years colleges nationally, which is $73,709.
How does Penn State's faculty salary compare to R1: Doctoral Universities nationally?
Compared to R1: Doctoral Universities nationally, Penn State's average faculty salary is slightly lower than the average salary of R1: Doctoral Universities nationally, which is $128,754.
What are the salary trends for faculty at Penn State?
The salary trends for faculty at Penn State over the past few years show that the average salary has Penn State's faculty salary increased by 5.39% compared to the 2024 salary. For more detailed trends by academic rank, please refer to the faculty salary trends table and chart above.
What is the gender pay difference among faculty at Penn State?
The gender pay difference among faculty at Penn State is higher for male faculty by $26,284 (25.29%).
How many faculty members are included in the salary data for Penn State?
The salary data for Penn State includes a total of 2,680 faculty members across all ranks.
How does Penn State's faculty salary compare to state averages?
Compared to state averages for public 4-year college, Penn State's average faculty salary is much higher than the average faculty salary for colleges in Pennsylvania, which is $80,625.