Faculty Salary By Academic Rank at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
The 2025 average faculty salary is $117,140 at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville across all academic ranks. UTK's faculty salary increased by 2.70% compared to the 2024 salary.
At The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, by academic rank:
- The average professor salary is $169,285, representing a 2.91% increase from the previous year (+$4,786).
- The average associate professor salary is $121,603, representing a 3.80% increase from the previous year (+$4,457).
- The average assistant professor salary is $96,691, representing a 2.51% increase from the previous year (+$2,371).
- The average instructor salary is $72,787, representing a 1.54% increase from the previous year (+$1,103).
- The average lecturer salary is $74,012, representing a 4.12% increase from the previous year (+$2,930).
- The average no academic rank salary is $47,650, representing a -22.65% decrease from the previous year (-$13,953).
Average Salary by Academic Rank Chart
This chart summarizes average faculty salary by academic rank at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville 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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
At UTK, the average male faculty's salary is $129,314 and female faculty's is $103,213. The difference in salary between male and female faculty $26,101, with male faculty' annual salary being 25.29% higher than that of female faculty.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $117,140 +$3,081 (2.70%) |
$129,314 +$2,053 (1.61%) |
$103,213 +$3,879 (3.91%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $118,788 +$3,200 (2.77%) |
$130,617 +$1,738 (1.35%) |
$104,588 +$4,306 (4.29%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No Faculty with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No Faculty with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | $145,626 +$2,843 (1.99%) |
$162,847 +$3,890 (2.45%) |
$129,970 +$2,783 (2.19%) |
The average salary for UTK's 570 Professor is $169,285. By gender, the average male professor salary is $175,929, and that of female professor is $156,705. The salary difference between male and female professor is $19,224, which means male professor's salary is 12.27% higher than female professor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $169,285 +$4,786 (2.91%) |
$175,929 +$4,500 (2.62%) |
$156,705 +$5,580 (3.69%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $176,152 +$4,669 (2.72%) |
$182,237 +$3,955 (2.22%) |
$164,064 +$6,179 (3.91%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No Professor with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No Professor with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | $193,119 +$4,853 (2.58%) |
$202,244 +$5,824 (2.97%) |
$178,481 +$4,219 (2.42%) |
The average salary for UTK's 397 Associate professor is $121,603. By gender, the average male associate professor salary is $128,404, and that of female associate professor is $112,797. The salary difference between male and female associate professor is $15,607, which means male associate professor's salary is 13.84% higher than female associate professor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $121,603 +$4,457 (3.80%) |
$128,404 +$4,504 (3.64%) |
$112,797 +$4,190 (3.86%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $124,372 +$4,868 (4.07%) |
$131,301 +$4,810 (3.80%) |
$114,569 +$4,724 (4.30%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No Associate professor with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No Associate professor with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | $145,186 +$3,541 (2.50%) |
$148,852 +$3,945 (2.72%) |
$142,002 +$3,104 (2.23%) |
The average salary for UTK's 486 Assistant professor is $96,691. By gender, the average male assistant professor salary is $104,634, and that of female assistant professor is $89,955. The salary difference between male and female assistant professor is $14,679, which means male assistant professor's salary is 16.32% higher than female assistant professor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $96,691 +$2,371 (2.51%) |
$104,634 +$2,438 (2.39%) |
$89,955 +$2,088 (2.38%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $100,274 +$2,131 (2.17%) |
$107,450 +$2,411 (2.30%) |
$93,457 +$1,548 (1.68%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No Assistant professor with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No Assistant professor with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | $109,513 +$1,648 (1.53%) |
$117,901 -$1,033 (-0.87%) |
$105,119 +$3,605 (3.55%) |
The average salary for UTK's 43 Instructor is $72,787. By gender, the average male instructor salary is $80,165, and that of female instructor is $71,101. The salary difference between male and female instructor is $9,064, which means male instructor's salary is 12.75% higher than female instructor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $72,787 +$1,103 (1.54%) |
$80,165 +$3,509 (4.58%) |
$71,101 +$660 (0.94%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $74,329 +$1,304 (1.79%) |
$77,965 +$449 (0.58%) |
$73,656 +$1,296 (1.79%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No Instructor with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No Instructor with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | $91,069 +$1,650 (1.85%) |
$111,775 +$10,712 (10.60%) |
$83,304 +$3,201 (4.00%) |
The average salary for UTK's 454 Lecturer is $74,012. By gender, the average male lecturer salary is $76,457, and that of female lecturer is $71,870. The salary difference between male and female lecturer is $4,587, which means male lecturer's salary is 6.38% higher than female lecturer's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $74,012 +$2,930 (4.12%) |
$76,457 +$1,081 (1.43%) |
$71,870 +$4,104 (6.06%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $74,464 +$2,833 (3.95%) |
$76,624 +$554 (0.73%) |
$72,536 +$4,397 (6.45%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No Lecturer with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No Lecturer with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | $90,741 +$6,621 (7.87%) |
$98,547 +$14,062 (16.64%) |
$85,400 +$1,495 (1.78%) |
The average salary for UTK's 1 No academic rank is $47,650.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $47,650 -$13,953 (-22.65%) |
$47,650 -$19,229 (-28.75%) |
- - |
| 9-Month Contract | No academic rank with 9-Month Contract | ||
| 10-Month Contract | No academic rank with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No academic rank with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | $63,533 -$16,134 (-20.25%) |
$63,533 -$28,967 (-31.32%) |
- - |
Faculty Salary Changes over Past 5 Years
The average salary for UTK faculty has increased 14.67%, from $99,960 to $117,140. Professor salaries increased by 16.43%, associate professor salaries increased by 18.57%, and assistant professor salaries increased by 14.11% at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
| Year | All Faculty | Professor | Associate Professor | Assistant Professor | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,960 | $141,465 | $99,017 | $83,045 | $62,105 |
| 2020 | $101,758 | $144,877 2.41% | $100,313 1.31% | $85,670 3.16% | $63,525 2.29% |
| 2021 | $100,967 | $146,208 0.92% | $99,683 0.63% | $85,295 0.44% | $64,021 0.78% |
| 2022 | $105,104 | $150,089 2.65% | $103,874 4.20% | $88,926 4.26% | $64,856 1.30% |
| 2023 | $108,731 | $156,891 4.53% | $108,835 4.78% | $91,814 3.25% | $67,980 4.82% |
| 2024 | $114,059 | $164,499 4.85% | $117,146 7.64% | $94,320 2.73% | $71,684 5.45% |
| 2025 | $117,140 | $169,285 2.91% | $121,603 3.80% | $96,691 2.51% | $72,787 1.54% |
| 5 Years Change | $17,180 14.67% | $27,820 16.43% | $22,586 18.57% | $13,646 14.11% | $10,682 14.68% |
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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. 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 UTK Faculty Salary Compared?
UTK's average faculty salary is $117,140. UTK'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 ($64,874) of four-years colleges in Tennessee.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is a R1: Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification. When compared R1: Doctoral Universities, its salary is slightly lower than national average and similar to Tennessee R1: Doctoral Universities.
| Average Faculty Salary | |
|---|---|
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $117,140 |
| R1: Doctoral Universities | $128,754 |
| Tennessee R1: Doctoral Universities | $117,826 |
| National Average (Four-years Colleges) | $73,709 |
| Four-years Tennessee Colleges | $64,874 |
Similar Schools' Faculty Salary
Compared to similar colleges such as The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, UTK's faculty salary is higher than the average salary ($84,048). You can compare the salary to analyze or make a decision.
| Average Faculty Salary | Number of Faculty | |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $117,140 | 2,207 |
| The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis, TN | $115,086 | 1,819 |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN | $91,410 | 779 |
| University of Memphis Memphis, TN | $87,855 | 1,336 |
| Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN | $87,588 | 1,200 |
| Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN | $84,887 | 589 |
| Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN | $81,355 | 684 |
| Tennessee State University Nashville, TN | $79,675 | 542 |
| East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN | $77,109 | 1,019 |
| The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, TN | $75,371 | 414 |
| The University of Tennessee Southern Pulaski, TN | $60,143 | 80 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Faculty Salary at UTK
Here are some frequently asked questions about faculty salary at UTK, along with detailed answers based on the latest available data.
What is the average faculty salary at UTK?
The average faculty salary at UTK is $117,140 for the most recent year with available data. By academic rank, the average salaries are as follows:
- Professors: $169,285
- Associate Professors: $121,603
- Assistant Professors: $96,691
- Instructors: $72,787
- Lecturers: $74,012
How does UTK's faculty salary compare to similar schools?
Compared to similar schools, such as UTHSC, UTC, Memphis and 7 other similar schools, UTK's average faculty salary is higher than the average salary of similar institutions, which is $84,048. Compare them in the table above.
How does UTK's faculty salary compare to four-years colleges nationally?
Compared to four-years colleges nationally, UTK's average faculty salary is much higher than the average salary of four-years colleges nationally, which is $73,709.
How does UTK's faculty salary compare to R1: Doctoral Universities nationally?
Compared to R1: Doctoral Universities nationally, UTK'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 UTK?
The salary trends for faculty at UTK over the past few years show that the average salary has UTK's faculty salary increased by 2.70% 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 UTK?
The gender pay difference among faculty at UTK is higher for male faculty by $26,101 (25.29%).
How many faculty members are included in the salary data for UTK?
The salary data for UTK includes a total of 1,951 faculty members across all ranks.
How does UTK's faculty salary compare to state averages?
Compared to state averages for public 4-year college, UTK's average faculty salary is much higher than the average faculty salary for colleges in Tennessee, which is $64,874.