What does an Associate Professor do?
An associate professor is usually the first permanent teaching position you can get at a college or university, after the entry-level job of assistant professor and before promotion to full professorship. Associate professors develop lesson plans and lecture students in the field in which they have an advanced degree, and may also conduct research at the institution where they work.
An associate professor has to develop lesson plans and balance teaching students with conducting research and publishing papers in their field of study. They may also conduct research on various topics related to their area of expertise.
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Working as an Associate Professor
The daily responsibilities of an associate professor include:
- Developing lesson plans and curriculum for college and university courses
- Lecturing groups of students in classes related to their area of expertise
- Conducting research at universities or colleges
- Stay abreast of new findings and issues in your area of expertise
- Advise students majoring in your area of expertise
How much does an Associate Professor make in the United States?
Average base salary
The average salary for a associate professor is $90,262 per year in the United States. 1.6k salaries reported, updated at June 6, 2023
Where can an Associate Professor earn more?
Compare salaries for Associate Professors in different locations
How much do similar professions get paid in United States?
Adjunct Professor
2,876 job openingsAverage $52.94 per hour
Assistant Professor
12,564 job openingsAverage $72,420 per year
Common questions about for an Associate Professor
What is the difference between a professor and an associate professor?
Both professors and associate professors have teaching positions and are considered experts in the field. However, professors are the highest-ranked teaching positions at a university, a step above associate professors, and they are usually more well-known in their field thanks to more years of research and publishing papers.
How can I know if I am being paid fairly as an associate professor?
If you’re unsure about what salary is appropriate for an associate professor, visit Indeed's Salary Calculator to get a free, personalized pay range based on your location, industry and experience.
How long does it take to become an associate professor?
Becoming an associate professor requires a four-year bachelor's degree, six years (on average) of doctoral work to get your Ph.D., and an average of seven years as an assistant professor before getting promoted - which amounts to 17 years in total. This time can vary depending on how long it takes to complete your Ph.D.
