| tart --> | | | | teaching may not be as exciting as that of a |
| Although the average College professor's salary is | | | | researcher, the academic life is less strenuous. |
| about $51,000 per year, the amount can vary | | | | Certain fields traditionally demand higher salaries |
| significantly. The four main factors that appear to | | | | than others. For example, medical faculty are paid |
| affect a college professor's salary are the | | | | more than biologists. Faculty can earn more |
| geographic location, the type of school, the | | | | money if they are in fields in which there are |
| particular field, and the amount of experience. | | | | large student enrollments coupled with relatively |
| The cost-of-living can vary greatly between cities. | | | | small numbers of qualified faculty. This includes |
| The cost-of-living between cities can be compared | | | | criminal justice, nursing, education, and nutrition. |
| using many websites. Do an internet search on | | | | Finally, the amount of experience a professor has |
| cost-of-living. Alternatively an internet search with | | | | will help to dictate the initial salary at an academic |
| cost-of-living as the key word will find many other | | | | institution, as it would in the business world. If a |
| sites. In order to live on an equal basis, a much | | | | relatively inexperienced professor is in a particular |
| higher salary must be earned in Las Angeles, CA | | | | pay scale, he would be paid near the bottom of |
| than in Huntington, WV. Therefore, it is | | | | this scale whereas an individual with more |
| understandable that the pay scale in Las Angeles | | | | experience will receive a higher salary. Thus, |
| is proportionately higher. | | | | experience counts. |
| Major research institutions attract individuals with | | | | It is virtually impossible to accurately predict the |
| a higher level of expertise. This comes at a | | | | salary that a professor will earn at an institution |
| premium. In general research institutions pays | | | | because there are so many variables that "come |
| more but expect more from their faculty than do | | | | into play". The most significant of these variables |
| research institutions. This is climate is where the | | | | are the geographic location, the type of school, |
| phrase, "Publish or perish" originated. Although the | | | | the particular field, and the amount of experience. |
| life of a professor whose duties are primarily | | | | |
