What Does a History Professor Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a history professor do?

History teachers, postsecondary, teach courses in human history and historiography at colleges and universities. The median pay is $83,820 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 6–8 years after a bachelor’s, and employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$83,820
Annual salary · May 2025
Job growth
0.0%
2025–35, little or no change
Openings per year
1,500
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree
BLS classification
Time to train
6–8 years after a bachelor’s
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
23,200
Employment, 2025

What history professors do

History professors teach and study the past. They teach survey courses and seminars, show students how to read primary sources and write arguments, research in archives, and publish articles and books.

Most hold a Ph.D. in history; community colleges often hire instructors with a master’s. The academic job market is very competitive.

Typical duties

Teach history courses
Teach primary source analysis
Research in archives
Publish articles and books
Mentor students
Advise history majors
Serve on committees

Work environment and schedule

Faculty work in classrooms, offices, libraries and archives.

Schedule: Teaching and research with flexible hours and archive trips.

A day in the life

9:00 AMTeach a U.S. history survey.
10:30 AMHold office hours.
12:00 PMWork on a book chapter.
2:00 PMLead a primary source seminar.

See a full day in the life of a history professor →

History Professor salary

Half of history professors earned more than $83,820 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $48,410 for the lowest 10% to $162,160 for the top 10%.

$48,41010th$83,820Median$162,16090th

Full history professor pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a history professor

Earn a history bachelor’s
Learn research languages
Earn a Ph.D.
Publish
Get hired

A Ph.D. in history is typical for universities; a master’s can qualify at community colleges.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a history professor →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Historical research
Primary source analysis
Writing
Lecturing
Archival work

People skills

Storytelling
Critical thinking
Patience
Curiosity

All history professor skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Study what fascinates you
Archive research trips
Flexible schedule
Help students think critically

Cons

Very competitive job market
Slow publishing
Grading load
Many adjunct roles

Certifications and licenses

Ph.D. in history: Doctoral degree.
Language skills: For archival work.
Research fellowships: Funded research.
Publications: Articles and books.

Career path

Teaching Assistant: Teach sections.
Assistant Professor: Tenure track.
Associate Professor: Tenure.
Professor or Chair: Lead departments.

Learn the job before day one

Our History Professor training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as teach students to read a primary source and plan an archive research trip, safety and how to land your first job.

View History Professor training Is this career right for me?

Historian

Research and interpret the past for governments, museums and the public.

$76,750
2 years after a bachelor’s

Archivist

Preserve historical records and help people find them.

$64,550
2 years after a bachelor’s

High School Teacher

Teach teenagers a subject and prepare them for college, careers and life.

$72,040
4 years plus licensing

Political Science Professor

Teach how governments, elections and policy work.

$98,070
5–7 years after a bachelor’s

Compare: History Professor vs. Historian · History Professor vs. Archivist · History Professor vs. High School Teacher · History Professor vs. Political Science Professor

History Professor FAQ

Is the history job market competitive?

Yes, very.

Do community colleges hire with a master’s?

Often, yes.

Do history professors travel?

Many travel to archives for research.

How much does a history professor make?

The median annual wage for history professors was $83,820 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $48,410 and the highest 10% earned more than $162,160.

How long does it take to become a history professor?

Most people need about 6–8 years after a bachelor’s of training. A Ph.D. in history is typical for universities; a master’s can qualify at community colleges.

Do you need a degree to be a history professor?

Usually. BLS lists a doctoral degree as typical for postsecondary teachers. Universities generally require a doctorate, while community colleges often hire instructors with a master’s degree.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 25-1125 (History teachers, postsecondary).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for History teachers, postsecondary (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

History Professor