The United States is home to many of the world’s top universities, making it a leading destination for international researchers. Here’s a breakdown of the most common American academic job titles and their associated average annual salaries. All salary statistics in this article are in American Dollars (USD) and are pre-tax.
PhD Student
A Master’s degree is not always required to pursue a PhD in the U.S., as many top universities offer direct entry PhD programs. American PhD programs typically begin with two to three years of coursework, after which students take qualifying exams. It takes an average of six years to earn a PhD, and most students gain teaching experience during this time, either as teaching assistants or by leading their own courses.
In the U.S., there is no mandated national salary for PhD students. PhD students’ stipends vary widely depending on the institution, field of study, and location. As of 2024, PhD students typically earn between $20,000 and $35,000 per year. Stipends may be tax-free (if they are fellowship awards) or taxable (if classified as salary for teaching or research assistant roles). Many students are funded for nine months of the year, with optional summer funding (WorldMetrics).
Postdoc
After earning a PhD, many researchers take on postdoctoral positions to further specialize in their fields. Postdocs typically last two to three years, although it's common to complete more than one postdoc in the U.S. As of 2024, the average salary for postdocs is $61,000 to $72,000 per year, depending on factors such as the field and location (UnivStats) (WorldMetrics).
Lecturer
A lecturer is a non-tenure-track teaching position. These positions usually carry a higher teaching load and no research obligations. Lecturers may or may not hold a PhD, and their positions are more common in the humanities and social sciences. The average salary for full-time lecturers in 2024 is approximately $70,000 per year (WorldMetrics).
Assistant Professor
This is the first rank on the tenure track. Assistant professors are responsible for teaching, research, and contributing to service activities within their institution. They typically teach two to four courses per semester while also supervising graduate students and maintaining an active research agenda. As of 2024, the average salary for assistant professors is $75,000 to $85,000 per year, with some variation depending on the institution and discipline(UnivStats).
Associate Professor
An assistant professor who is granted tenure is promoted to the rank of associate professor. Tenure is a key milestone that provides job security and reflects recognition of the professor's contributions to their field. Associate professors typically have a national reputation and are involved in service activities beyond their institution. The average salary for associate professors in 2024 is around $90,000 to $101,000 per year (UnivStats).
Professor (Full Professor)
After five to seven years as an associate professor, faculty members can apply for promotion to full professor. This rank is granted to those who have established themselves as national or international leaders in their field. Full professors have a significant track record of research and publications. As of 2024, the average salary for full professors is $115,000 to $130,000 per year, with some earning well above this in fields like law and engineering(WorldMetrics) (UnivStats).