Bible college professors play important roles in the education and vocational training of students who wish to attend religiously oriented institutions of higher learning. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were a total of 21,250 philosophy and religion professors employed in the United States in 2010. However, not all bible college professors teach biblical studies or theology. Many teach other liberal arts subjects necessary to obtain a bachelor's degree. Salaries for bible college professors tend to be lower than those earned at private nonreligious institutions, but higher than those at public institutions.

Average Salary

The average salary of a professor with a doctorate degree at a bible college or another religiously oriented institution of higher learning was $129,615, as of 2009, according to the American Association of University Professors. Salaries differ for those with a rank less than full professor. According to the association, the average salary for associate professors was $87,262, while assistant professors made $72,872 per year.

Comparisons

These salaries earned by bible college professors exceeded the average salaries earned by professors teaching at public institutions. According to the AAUP, the average salary of a full professor at a public institution was $115,509 per year, with associate and assistant professors earning $79,986 and $68,048, respectively. Those teaching at private independent colleges with no religious affiliation made an average of $151,403 at the full professorial level, while associate professors made $95,948 and assistant professors made $82,295. The average salary for all professors, regardless of religious affiliation, was $123,785. Associate professors averaged $82,958, while assistant professors made $70,613.

Religion Professors

Because bible colleges typically have a high number of religion professors, a closer examination of the pay scale for these professors can also be helpful. According to the BLS, the median salary for religion and philosophy professors was $62,330 per year, as of May 2010. The middle half of these professors earned between $46,110 and $84,040, with the highest paid professors earning more than $114,380 per year.

Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs for college professors is expected to grow by 15 percent in the decade from 2008 to 2018. The bureau indicates that this increase will occur largely due to the increased size of the existing population and the need to provide a increased number of college-aged kids with their college education.