in his field if he chose to go into industry. Another thing you are forgetting is that professors bring money in to the university. When they receive a grant, half of that money goes to VT. It's called overhead. Over the years my dad has brought millions in to VT, definitely more than his cumulative salary over the same time period- also while doing groundbreaking research that brings positive attention to the university and hopefully advances humanity. Sure, they are getting a break during Covid, but other than that to say that professors are overpaid is incorrect.