College Professor Salary in Memphis, TN
College Professors in Memphis, TN earn a median of $52,000/year, ranging from $40,040 (25th percentile) to $83,200 (90th percentile). After Tennessee state taxes (0%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 83), this is equivalent to $62,651 in purchasing power vs the US average.
1Salary Distribution in Memphis, TN
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Memphis, TN Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN (current) | $52,000 | 83 | $62,651 |
| Nashville, TN | $65,000 | 110 | $59,091 |
| San Francisco, CA | $96,000 | 186 | $51,613 |
| New York, NY | $92,000 | 187 | $49,198 |
| Seattle, WA | $94,000 | 162 | $58,025 |
| Boston, MA | $85,000 | 162 | $52,469 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average College Professor salary in Memphis, TN?
The median College Professor salary in Memphis, TN is $52,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $40,040 and the 90th percentile is $83,200.
Is Memphis, TN a good place to work as a College Professor?
Memphis, TN has a cost of living index of 83 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $52,000 College Professor salary in Memphis, TN is equivalent to $62,651 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Memphis, TN?
Memphis, TN has a cost of living index of 83, meaning it is 17% less expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Tennessee is approximately 0%.
What is the College Professor salary range in Memphis, TN?
In Memphis, TN, College Professors earn between $40,040 (25th percentile) and $83,200 (90th percentile), with a median of $52,000 per year.
How many College Professor jobs are there in Memphis, TN?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 12,000 College Professor positions in the Memphis, TN metropolitan area.
What do College Professors earn in Memphis, TN?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, College Professors in Memphis, TN earn a median annual wage of $52,000. The middle 50% earn between $40,040 and $66,560. The top 10% earn more than $83,200. There are approximately 12,000 College Professors employed in the Memphis, TN metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 3%.
Is Memphis, TN a good place for a College Professor?
Memphis, TN has a cost of living index of 83 (US average = 100), making it 17% less expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a College Professor in Memphis, TN earning $52,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $62,651 relative to the US median. Tennessee has no state income tax, which is a significant financial advantage.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Memphis, TN?
Memphis, TN's cost of living index is 83, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $52,000 in Memphis, TNhas the same purchasing power as $62,651 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Memphis, TN with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.