Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary salary by state
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as abnormal psychology, cognitive processes, and work motivation.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
Top skills:Learning StrategiesSpeakingReading ComprehensionInstructingWritingActive Listening
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary pay by experience level
Entry level$51,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$65,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$83,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$109,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$159,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+3.6%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
4,000
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary salary by industry
Educational Services
41,500 workers
$97,000
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
34,380 workers
$96,000
Educational Services, Privately Owned
18,790 workers
$90,000
Educational Services, State Government Owned
16,570 workers
$97,000
Junior Colleges
7,050 workers
$103,000
Educational Services, Local Government Owned
6,150 workers
$118,000
Technical and Trade Schools
30 workers
$63,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary pays 10% above the average across 65 roles in the Educational Instruction and Library job family (family average $88,500).
Similar-paying roles in Educational Instruction and Library
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary make?
The average base salary for a Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary in the United States is $97,000 per year, or about $46.63 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $65,500 and $109,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Educational Instruction and Library roles?
The Educational Instruction and Library job family averages $88,500 across 65 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
