Faculty Salary By Academic Rank at University of Southern California
The 2025 average faculty salary is $163,106 at University of Southern California across all academic ranks. USC's faculty salary increased by 2.65% compared to the 2024 salary.
At University of Southern California, by academic rank:
- The average professor salary is $210,592, representing a 2.74% increase from the previous year (+$5,621).
- The average associate professor salary is $139,251, representing a 3.37% increase from the previous year (+$4,536).
- The average assistant professor salary is $124,503, representing a 2.36% increase from the previous year (+$2,875).
- The average instructor salary is $77,784, representing a -61.11% decrease from the previous year (-$122,216).
- The average lecturer salary is $94,244, representing a 5.64% increase from the previous year (+$5,032).
Average Salary by Academic Rank Chart
This chart summarizes average faculty salary by academic rank at University of Southern California 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 University of Southern California.
At USC, the average male faculty's salary is $178,240 and female faculty's is $142,473. The difference in salary between male and female faculty $35,767, with male faculty' annual salary being 25.1% higher than that of female faculty.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $163,106 +$4,215 (2.65%) |
$178,240 +$5,658 (3.28%) |
$142,473 +$2,707 (1.94%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $170,130 +$5,579 (3.39%) |
$183,779 +$7,528 (4.27%) |
$149,546 +$3,216 (2.20%) |
| 10-Month Contract | $115,629 +$14,373 (14.19%) |
$110,240 -$15,643 (-12.43%) |
$117,531 +$26,126 (28.58%) |
| 11-Month Contract | $143,648 | $152,302 | $137,880 |
| 12-Month Contract | $160,311 +$1,170 (0.74%) |
$173,793 -$2,325 (-1.32%) |
$149,826 +$1,965 (1.33%) |
The average salary for USC's 936 Professor is $210,592. By gender, the average male professor salary is $225,017, and that of female professor is $183,602. The salary difference between male and female professor is $41,415, which means male professor's salary is 22.56% higher than female professor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $210,592 +$5,621 (2.74%) |
$225,017 +$7,849 (3.61%) |
$183,602 +$1,880 (1.03%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $218,308 +$7,618 (3.62%) |
$229,878 +$9,272 (4.20%) |
$193,825 +$4,108 (2.17%) |
| 10-Month Contract | $189,968 -$29,442 (-13.42%) |
- - |
$189,968 |
| 11-Month Contract | $155,011 | $206,403 | $137,880 |
| 12-Month Contract | $199,084 -$4,102 (-2.02%) |
$218,484 -$6,526 (-2.90%) |
$183,278 -$2,791 (-1.50%) |
The average salary for USC's 626 Associate professor is $139,251. By gender, the average male associate professor salary is $145,474, and that of female associate professor is $131,659. The salary difference between male and female associate professor is $13,815, which means male associate professor's salary is 10.49% higher than female associate professor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $139,251 +$4,536 (3.37%) |
$145,474 +$3,394 (2.39%) |
$131,659 +$5,843 (4.64%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $144,732 +$5,794 (4.17%) |
$149,999 +$5,301 (3.66%) |
$137,835 +$6,676 (5.09%) |
| 10-Month Contract | $129,941 +$774 (0.60%) |
$120,000 | $136,569 +$7,402 (5.73%) |
| 11-Month Contract | $98,200 | $98,200 | - |
| 12-Month Contract | $151,987 +$5,333 (3.64%) |
$161,822 +$2,633 (1.65%) |
$143,381 +$4,785 (3.45%) |
The average salary for USC's 455 Assistant professor is $124,503. By gender, the average male assistant professor salary is $131,463, and that of female assistant professor is $117,754. The salary difference between male and female assistant professor is $13,709, which means male assistant professor's salary is 11.64% higher than female assistant professor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $124,503 +$2,875 (2.36%) |
$131,463 +$4,629 (3.65%) |
$117,754 +$1,581 (1.36%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $130,194 +$3,515 (2.77%) |
$135,810 +$5,665 (4.35%) |
$124,220 +$1,567 (1.28%) |
| 10-Month Contract | $112,235 +$21,727 (24.01%) |
$114,048 +$16,552 (16.98%) |
$111,631 +$23,453 (26.60%) |
| 11-Month Contract | No Assistant professor with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | $120,350 +$2,499 (2.12%) |
$126,091 +$3,370 (2.75%) |
$116,937 +$1,665 (1.44%) |
The average salary for USC's 19 Instructor is $77,784. By gender, the average male instructor salary is $77,950, and that of female instructor is $77,635. The salary difference between male and female instructor is $315, which means male instructor's salary is 0.41% higher than female instructor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $77,784 -$122,216 (-61.11%) |
$77,950 | $77,635 -$122,365 (-61.18%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $77,784 -$122,216 (-61.11%) |
$77,950 | $77,635 -$122,365 (-61.18%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No Instructor with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No Instructor with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | No Instructor with 12-Month Contract | ||
The average salary for USC's 150 Lecturer is $94,244. By gender, the average male lecturer salary is $98,768, and that of female lecturer is $89,839. The salary difference between male and female lecturer is $8,929, which means male lecturer's salary is 9.94% higher than female lecturer's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $94,244 +$5,032 (5.64%) |
$98,768 +$5,681 (6.10%) |
$89,839 +$4,455 (5.22%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $96,223 +$5,485 (6.04%) |
$100,900 +$6,320 (6.68%) |
$91,254 +$4,692 (5.42%) |
| 10-Month Contract | $91,492 +$3,121 (3.53%) |
$96,671 +$3,359 (3.60%) |
$89,765 +$3,040 (3.51%) |
| 11-Month Contract | No Lecturer with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | $103,517 -$838 (-0.80%) |
$91,204 -$7,902 (-7.97%) |
$111,726 +$4,090 (3.80%) |
Faculty Salary Changes over Past 5 Years
The average salary for USC faculty has increased 17.96%, from $133,820 to $163,106. Professor salaries increased by 12.49%, associate professor salaries increased by 16.62%, and assistant professor salaries increased by 20.09% at University of Southern California.
| Year | All Faculty | Professor | Associate Professor | Assistant Professor | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $133,820 | $184,286 | $116,103 | $99,494 | $56,847 |
| 2020 | $136,476 | $188,250 2.15% | $116,436 0.29% | $102,088 2.61% | $79,857 40.48% |
| 2021 | $139,069 | $186,398 0.98% | $115,660 0.67% | $103,223 1.11% | $65,000 18.60% |
| 2022 | $142,538 | $187,947 0.83% | $117,781 1.83% | $106,569 3.24% | - |
| 2023 | $150,249 | $195,561 4.05% | $127,195 7.99% | $115,235 8.13% | - |
| 2024 | $158,891 | $204,971 4.81% | $134,715 5.91% | $121,628 5.55% | $200,000 |
| 2025 | $163,106 | $210,592 2.74% | $139,251 3.37% | $124,503 2.36% | $77,784 61.11% |
| 5 Years Change | $29,286 17.96% | $26,306 12.49% | $23,148 16.62% | $25,009 20.09% | $20,937 26.92% |
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 University of Southern California. 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 USC Faculty Salary Compared?
USC's average faculty salary is $163,106. USC'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 ($84,651) of four-years colleges in California.
University of Southern California is a R1: Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification. When compared R1: Doctoral Universities, its salary is higher than national average and lower than California R1: Doctoral Universities.
| Average Faculty Salary | |
|---|---|
| University of Southern California | $163,106 |
| R1: Doctoral Universities | $128,754 |
| California R1: Doctoral Universities | $183,406 |
| National Average (Four-years Colleges) | $73,709 |
| Four-years California Colleges | $84,651 |
Similar Schools' Faculty Salary
Compared to similar colleges such as Stanford University and California Institute of Technology, USC's faculty salary is similar to the average salary ($159,849). You can compare the salary to analyze or make a decision.
| Average Faculty Salary | Number of Faculty | |
|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California | $163,106 | 3,985 |
| Stanford University Stanford, CA | $226,584 | 4,806 |
| California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA | $215,315 | 365 |
| University of Silicon Andhra Milpitas, CA | $157,500 | - |
| Southwestern Law School Los Angeles, CA | $153,241 | 175 |
| Claremont McKenna College Claremont, CA | $150,310 | 204 |
| Palo Alto University Palo Alto, CA | $145,668 | 84 |
| San Francisco Conservatory of Music San Francisco, CA | $139,285 | 45 |
| Harvey Mudd College Claremont, CA | $138,166 | 117 |
| Church Divinity School of the Pacific Berkeley, CA | $136,650 | 13 |
| Pomona College Claremont, CA | $135,767 | 286 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Faculty Salary at USC
Here are some frequently asked questions about faculty salary at USC, along with detailed answers based on the latest available data.
What is the average faculty salary at USC?
The average faculty salary at USC is $163,106 for the most recent year with available data. By academic rank, the average salaries are as follows:
- Professors: $210,592
- Associate Professors: $139,251
- Assistant Professors: $124,503
- Instructors: $77,784
- Lecturers: $94,244
How does USC's faculty salary compare to similar schools?
Compared to similar schools, such as Stanford, Caltech, Silicon Andhra and 7 other similar schools, USC's average faculty salary is similar to the average salary of similar institutions, which is $159,849. Compare them in the table above.
How does USC's faculty salary compare to four-years colleges nationally?
Compared to four-years colleges nationally, USC's average faculty salary is much higher than the average salary of four-years colleges nationally, which is $73,709.
How does USC's faculty salary compare to R1: Doctoral Universities nationally?
Compared to R1: Doctoral Universities nationally, USC's average faculty salary is higher than the average salary of R1: Doctoral Universities nationally, which is $128,754.
What are the salary trends for faculty at USC?
The salary trends for faculty at USC over the past few years show that the average salary has USC's faculty salary increased by 2.65% 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 USC?
The gender pay difference among faculty at USC is higher for male faculty by $35,767 (25.1%).
How many faculty members are included in the salary data for USC?
The salary data for USC includes a total of 2,186 faculty members across all ranks.
How does USC's faculty salary compare to state averages?
Compared to state averages for private 4-year college, USC's average faculty salary is much higher than the average faculty salary for colleges in California, which is $84,651.