Adjunct professors in the U.S. generally earn between about $2,000 and $7,000 per course, with many making less than $3,500 per course. Approximately 53% of adjuncts earn under $3,500 per course, and nearly a third earn less than $25,000 annually, which is below the federal poverty guideline for a family of four
. On average, adjuncts may make around $3,000 to $4,000 per class, though this varies by institution and location. For example, in New York, pay per class often ranges from $2,500 to $5,000, with $4,000 being a common figure
. Hourly rates can range roughly from $60 to $65 per hour depending on the state, such as Connecticut ($64.27/hour) and Utah ($61.50/hour)
. Nationally, some sources cite an average adjunct professor salary around $123,000 per year, but this figure likely reflects adjuncts teaching multiple courses or combined income from other jobs, as many adjuncts work part-time and have lower total earnings
. Overall, adjunct professors are often considered underpaid relative to their workload, with many struggling to cover basic living expenses and lacking benefits like paid sick leave or health insurance
