Professor Salary in Houston, TX — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Houston's cost of living (index: 101). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Professor Salary in Houston — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Houston
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Houston
Houston has a metro population of 7,470,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 4.2% unemployment rate is near the national average.
Financial Calculators for Houston
Other Professions in Houston
Professor Salary — Other Texas Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Professor make in Houston, TX?
The estimated median salary for a Professor in Houston is $85,224 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $84,380 adjusted by Houston's cost of living index (101). The typical salary range runs from $58,176 (25th percentile) to $123,685 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $170,609.
Is Houston affordable for a Professor?
On a $85,224 annual salary, a Professor in Houston would spend approximately 17.8% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,262/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Houston relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $320,000 is 3.8× the annual salary.
How does a Professor's salary compare to Houston's overall income?
Houston's median household income is $67,800. A Professor earning the city-adjusted median of $85,224 earns 25.7% more than the typical Houston household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.