How much does a culture professor make?
a year · about $41 an hour
A typical culture professor in the United States makes $85,020 a year, about $41 an hour, about 1.7× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They lead lectures and discussions on topics like race, gender, or culture, then grade papers and meet students during office hours. They may also research a topic, publish their findings, and meet with colleagues.
Did you know? They may teach about race and gender, then publish research in journals, books, or online media—so the job can include both teaching and scholarship.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $52,070 and $160,420How do you become one?
In the US, earn a bachelor's degree and usually a Ph.D. in your subject; doctoral study takes several years and often includes original research defended before experts. Some community colleges accept a master's degree, and teaching experience helps.
School needed: Graduate degree or long training
Good for people who like helping and teaching and figuring things out
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pay can differ with experience, time on the job, responsibilities, and location. The kind of college and hours worked matter too; both full-time and part-time jobs are common.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in New Hampshire ($125,450), lowest in Alabama ($63,090).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $52,070 | $85,020 | $160,420 | about 11,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $125,450 | about 80 |
| Kansas | $107,120 | about 90 |
| California | $105,220 | about 770 |
| Rhode Island | $104,460 | — |
| Maine | $103,060 | about 50 |
Official definition: Teach courses pertaining to the culture and development of an area, an ethnic group, or any other group, such as Latin American studies, women’s studies, or urban affairs. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-1062.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/print/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/May/oes251062.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY