For 15 Tennessee Research Universities, the average faculty salary is $86,365 in 2025. By academic rank,
- The average professor salary is $114,032 at Tennessee Research Universities.
- The average associate professor salary is $89,363 at Tennessee Research Universities.
- The average assistant professor salary is $77,373 at Tennessee Research Universities.
- The average instructor salary is $57,434 at Tennessee Research Universities.
- The average lecturer salary is $57,750 at Tennessee Research Universities.
- The average salary of faculty without academic rank is $65,320 at Tennessee Research Universities.
Tennessee Research Universities Faculty Salary Comparison Table
The following table compares faculty salaries at Tennessee Research Universities by academic rank. You can filter the table to compare specific type of colleges of your choice.
| School Name | All Rank Average | Professor | Associate Professor | Assistant Professor | Instructor | Lecturer | No Academic Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ResearchBelmont UniversityNashville, TN | $94,917 | $138,214 | $104,245 | $79,599 | $71,756 | $41,244 | $48,000 |
| ResearchCarson-Newman UniversityJefferson City, TN | $57,486 | $63,801 | $60,898 | $50,956 | $32,500 | - | - |
| ResearchLipscomb UniversityNashville, TN | $79,080 | $89,943 | $85,318 | $71,145 | $55,065 | $46,396 | - |
| R2East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City, TN | $77,109 | $92,036 | $83,826 | $71,993 | $63,682 | $50,096 | $69,076 |
| ResearchSouth CollegeKnoxville, TN | $78,752 | $117,193 | $98,331 | $83,419 | $69,052 | - | $69,394 |
| ResearchLincoln Memorial UniversityHarrogate, TN | $70,510 | $91,062 | $70,342 | $67,630 | $61,611 | - | $117,458 |
| R1University of MemphisMemphis, TN | $87,855 | $119,674 | $93,055 | $81,567 | $58,596 | - | - |
| R2Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro, TN | $87,588 | $111,756 | $91,192 | $81,164 | $58,860 | $55,143 | $52,500 |
| ResearchThe University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN | $91,410 | $130,780 | $99,523 | $78,823 | $50,792 | $57,682 | - |
| R1The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN | $117,140 | $169,285 | $121,603 | $96,691 | $72,787 | $74,012 | $47,650 |
| R2Tennessee State UniversityNashville, TN | $79,675 | $100,045 | $82,892 | $73,809 | $47,443 | - | $57,000 |
| R2Tennessee Technological UniversityCookeville, TN | $84,887 | $106,507 | $85,271 | $82,737 | $57,434 | $61,383 | $47,970 |
| ResearchTrevecca Nazarene UniversityNashville, TN | $66,867 | $73,716 | $62,888 | $64,500 | $43,983 | - | - |
| ResearchUnion UniversityJackson, TN | $73,716 | $84,671 | $68,059 | $64,727 | $50,000 | - | - |
| R1Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN | $148,484 | $221,801 | $132,999 | $111,831 | $67,947 | $76,041 | $78,833 |
Highest Faculty Salary in Tennessee
- Vanderbilt University $148,484
- The University of Tennessee-Knoxville $117,140
- The University of Tennessee Health Science Center $115,086
- Belmont University $94,917
- Baptist Health Sciences University $93,174
- The University of the South $91,418
- The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga $91,410
- University of Memphis $87,855
- Middle Tennessee State University $87,588
- Rhodes College $85,478