College Professor.
Oklahoma City.
$75,000
median salary, 15% below the national average
$56,000 to $104,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Oklahoma City is 16% cheaper than the national average. For College Professors, that shakes out to a median of $75,000, with the full range spanning $56,000 to $104,000. Discipline, institution type, and tenure status create enormous pay variance. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $67,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$49,000
to $60,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$64,000
to $79,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$83,000
to $98,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$94,000
to $116,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $16,000 to the total package.
Base
$75,000
Equity
$8,000
Bonus
$6,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $91,000
How Oklahoma City compares
Oklahoma City, OK
$75,000
Cost of living: 16% below average
National Average
$88,000
Oklahoma City is $13,000 below
College Professor salary by city
Salary by role in Oklahoma City
What you should know
Here is what the College Professor market actually looks like in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City's economy is rooted in energy, aerospace, and military operations. Tinker Air Force Base is a massive employer, and the city's energy sector creates strong demand for engineering and technical roles. The extremely low cost of living means salaries deliver exceptional purchasing power. Discipline, institution type, and tenure status create enormous pay variance. Business, engineering, and computer science professors earn 30 to 60% more than humanities professors. R1 research universities pay significantly more than community colleges or teaching-focused institutions.
Assistant Professors start at $66,000 to $85,000 depending on field. Associate Professors with tenure earn $82,000 to $110,000. Full Professors command $100,000 to $150,000, while Endowed Chairs and Distinguished Professors at elite universities exceed $200,000. In Oklahoma City, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 16% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Tenure-track professors receive sabbatical leave, research funding, and housing allowances at some institutions. Summer research stipends add $10,000 to $25,000. Consulting and speaking engagements can add $10,000 to $50,000 annually for well-known scholars. And on the tax side: oklahoma's top income tax rate is 4.75%. Oklahoma City has no city income tax. The moderate rate combined with very affordable housing creates strong net compensation. When someone quotes you $75,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage energy sector expertise. Oklahoma City employers pay competitive rates for petroleum engineers, geoscientists, and energy technology specialists. The range for College Professors in Oklahoma City runs from $56,000 to $104,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Financial Analyst in Oklahoma City earns $74,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Oklahoma City is Chief AI Officer at $263,000
Common questions.
College Professor salary in other cities
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