2025 Academia Salary Guide

Highest Paid Faculty Jobs: Top Salaries in Academia 2025

At AcademicJobs.com, explore top faculty pay from 2025 data. Health faculty avg $127K US, engineering $122K.

Faculty roles offer high pay in STEM, with BLS 2025 projecting 8% growth. Health, engineering lead; US avgs 10% above global.

Tenure tracks yield rewards; publications, grants boost salaries. Demand high in digital fields.

Tenured vs. Non-Tenured Faculty Roles

Tenured Roles

Job security, higher pay; full professors in STEM avg $150K+.

Non-Tenured Roles

Entry-level like assistants; path to tenure, competitive pay in high-demand fields.

The Winners Are...

Top 3 Highest Paid Faculty Disciplines 2025

2

Health

(Academic)

$127K
1

Law

(Academic)

$160K
3

Engineering

(Academic)

$122K

The 10 Highest Paid Faculty Jobs

Based on OECD/BLS 2025 data, these disciplines offer top pay, especially in high-income countries.

RankJob TitleCategoryDescriptionGlobal Avg SalaryActions
1Law FacultyAcademicTeaches law; JD/PhD required.$160,000+Search
2Health FacultyAcademicTeaches medicine/nursing; PhD/MD required.$127,000Search
3Engineering FacultyAcademicResearch/teaching in engineering; PhD.$122,000Search
4Business FacultyAcademicTeaches business/management; PhD/DBA.$117,000Search
5Computer Science FacultyAcademicResearch in CS; PhD.$115,000Search
6Economics FacultyAcademicTeaches economics; PhD.$110,000Search
7Physical Sciences FacultyAcademicResearch in physics/chem; PhD.$100,000Search
8Social Sciences FacultyAcademicResearch in sociology/psych; PhD.$95,000Search
9Biological Sciences FacultyAcademicTeaches biology; PhD.$90,000Search
10Humanities FacultyAcademicTeaches history/art; PhD.$80,000Search

Pros and Cons of Highest Paid Faculty Jobs

While these roles offer attractive salaries, they also come with unique advantages and challenges.

ProsCons
High earning potentialExtended education and training required
Opportunity for research and innovationCompetitive job market
Job security with tenurePressure to publish and secure funding
Intellectual freedomLong working hours
Prestige and respect in fieldWork-life balance challenges

Common University Jobs

20 Most Common Roles in Higher Ed

Explore the 20 most common university jobs, with 40/60 academic/non-academic split per OECD. Includes descriptions, entry tips, job search links, and 2025 salaries from BLS data.

Highest Paying University Jobs

Top 10 High-Salary Positions

Discover the top 10 highest paying university jobs from common roles, with global USD averages (profs $84K median per BLS 2024, updated 3-5% for 2025). Cross-links to management; stats by country/field.

University Management Roles

Top 10 Leadership Jobs

Uncover the top 10 university management roles and salaries (President $450K avg per OECD). Descriptions, career paths from common jobs, 2025 updates via BLS.

Highest Paid University Employees

Top 10 Individual Earners

View the top 10 highest paid university employees, mostly US coaches (Kirby Smart $13M per USA TODAY 2025). Compares to management; global insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about high-paid faculty careers.

What is the difference between full, associate, and assistant professors?

Full professors are tenured seniors with extensive research; associates are mid-career, often tenured; assistants are entry-level on tenure track. All require PhDs. Explore professor jobs for opportunities.

How do faculty salaries vary by discipline in 2025?

High-demand fields like health ($127K US avg) and engineering ($122K) pay more than humanities (~$80K). Global averages lower; factors include location, experience. See highest paid faculty jobs details.

What qualifications are needed for faculty positions?

PhD typically required; postdoctoral experience, publications help. For lecturers, master's may suffice. Gain via research assistant jobs or teaching roles.

What is the tenure process for faculty?

Involves 5-7 years of research, teaching, service; leads to job security, higher pay. Varies by institution. Learn more in academic career guides.

What are the most in-demand faculty disciplines in 2025?

Based on BLS and OECD 2025 trends, STEM fields like engineering, computer science surge. Health, business also high. Search faculty jobs on AcademicJobs.com.

How has remote work impacted faculty roles?

Post-pandemic, hybrid teaching common; increases flexibility, global reach. Per OECD 2025, varies by field. Find remote faculty jobs here.

Ready for a High-Paid Faculty Role?

Explore top faculty opportunities at AcademicJobs.com.

 
Highest Paid Faculty Jobs ✅ Top Academic Salaries