How much does a math professor make?
a year · about $38 an hour
A typical math professor in the United States makes $79,940 a year, about $38 an hour, about 1.6× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
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.
Did you know? At a large U.S. university, a math professor may apply for grants—money to fund research—not just teach math.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $49,180 and $139,340How do you become one?
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.
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 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.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($130,680), lowest in Florida ($60,700).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $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 |
Official definition: 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.
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