How much does a math professor make?
Answer: A typical math professor in the United States makes $79,940 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 48,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Math professor pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $49,180 | $79,940 | $139,340 | about 48,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $130,680 | about 4,000 |
| Michigan | $99,330 | about 1,000 |
| Oregon | $91,770 | about 820 |
| New York | $87,230 | about 4,000 |
| Minnesota | $85,570 | about 690 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience, tenure, college type and location, and whether the job is full-time or part-time. Research and other responsibilities can also matter.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a math professor do?
Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
What's a typical day like?
A math professor plans a lesson, teaches calculus or statistics, answers students’ questions during office hours, and grades their work. At a large university, they may also do research or apply for research funding.
How to get this job
In the United States, study math in college, then usually earn a PhD; doctoral students complete original research and may gain teaching practice as graduate teaching assistants. Some community colleges hire math teachers with a master’s degree.
Graduate degree or long training (preparation level 5 of 5)
Good for people who like helping and teaching and figuring things out.
Did you know?
At a large U.S. university, a math professor may apply for grants—money to fund research—not just teach math.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Educational Instruction and Library jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
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/25-1022.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY