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Business administration professors teach college-level courses in the fields of business administration and management, covering topics like general business practices, employee management, acquisitions and mergers, and contracts. Among others, their duties include developing lesson plans, presenting material to students, leading classroom discussions, administering examinations, evaluating students' progress and perhaps even conducting research.

Business administration professor salary

The national annual median salary of business administration professors is $102,383, according to Salary.com. Those earning the most pull in about $250,000.

The national annual median salary for all postsecondary business teachers (including instructors below professor rank) was $73,320 in 2009, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with the highest earners making as much as $147,000.

Earnings for business administration professors, and professors in general, vary by rank. The average salary for full-time professors (all subjects) is $87,555, for associate professors, $80,272, and for assistant professors, $66,364, according to a 2010-11 survey report by the American Association of University Professors. However, the study notes that earnings of business professors surpass these averages.

Several professors earn additional income from consulting, teaching additional courses, research, writing for publication or other employment. Many also receive benefits like access to campus facilities, waived tuition for dependents, stipends for housing and travel, and paid leave for sabbaticals. Institution type and geographic location also affect business administration professors' salaries. According to the BLS, states with the highest salaries for business administration professors are:

1. Connecticut
2. Massachusetts
3. Arizona

Business administration professors salaries are highest relative to the cost of living in these areas:

1. Lubbock, Texas
2. Austin-Round Rock, Texas
3. Ann Arbor, Michigan

Position requirements, advancement possibilities

For business administration professor positions at two-year colleges or non-tenure-track positions at four-year institutions, you need a master's degree. For full-time, tenure-track positions at four-year schools, you typically need a doctoral degree.

Tenured postsecondary teachers could advance into an administrative or managerial position, such as departmental chairperson, dean or president. This requires a Ph.D. at four-year schools. A doctoral degree is not required, although helpful, for the same at two-year colleges, except to move into certain top administrative positions.

Employment, career outlook

Overall employment of all postsecondary teachers is expected to grow between 2008 and 2018 by 15 percent, faster than the average for all occupations (7 to 13 percent), per the BLS. In terms of job availability, the best prospects for postsecondary teachers are likely to be in business and similar fields. Because of competition for tenure-track positions, part-time or nontenure-track jobs present better opportunities. If you hold a doctoral degree, you have the best prospects. Job outlook also is good if you have a master's degree, as growth at community colleges and other career education programs should be significant.

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