How To Become An Adjunct Instructor: What It Is and Career Path

Q: How long does it take to become an Adjunct Instructor?

It takes 8 years of professional experience to become an adjunct instructor. That is the time it takes to learn specific adjunct instructor skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 11 to 13 years years to become an adjunct instructor.

Q: Are adjunct faculty called professors?

Yes, adjunct faculty are also called professors. Otherwise known as adjunct professors, this is a part-time faculty position. However, universities have nuances in the specific terminology allocated for part-time faculty.

Q: How are adjunct instructors paid?

Adjunct instructors are paid an average of $91,000 per year. However, the pay range for an adjunct instructor can exist within a vast range based on pay structure. For example, some adjunct instructors are only paid $1,000 per eligible course due to a pay-per-course structure.

Q: How do I become an adjunct professor with no experience?

To become an adjunct professor with no experience, you will need to have the right educational background. Having a strong GPA and excellent teacher recommendations can improve your odds, along with any related work experience.

Q: How long does it take to become an adjunct professor?

It takes 4 to 8 years to become an adjunct professor. It depends on the type of adjunct professor position. Most schools require a graduate degree in the field you wish to teach. However, there are some cases where just having a bachelor's degree is enough.

Q: What is the difference between an adjunct professor and an instructor?

The difference between an adjunct professor and an instructor is the title given to the staff. Instructors tend to be general teachers and monitor students, be it at a university, school, or some other type of activity that requires in-depth instruction.

Q: Why are adjuncts paid so little?

Adjuncts are paid so little to help universities and colleges save money. Higher education institutions are businesses looking to lower overhead costs and generate revenue. Ultimately colleges save a lot of money by hiring several part-time adjunct instructors rather than full-time tenure-track faculty positions.

What is an adjunct instructor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Rodney Foster

As an adjunct instructor, your goal is to impart your wisdom onto students. While also being in charge of coming up with a syllabus for your class, holding office hours and grading their papers. We should note that adjunct instructors aren't full-time. And you probably shouldn't expect the same benefits that are accosted to professors.

Adjunct Instructors are hired on a contractual basis, meaning it's a nice way to make a little extra money but probably shouldn't be your only gig. If your goal is to become a full-time professor in the future, then this is definitely the right stepping stone on that path. If nothing else, you'll at least be able to work on your public speaking. We don't have to tell you how handy that can come in.

What general advice would you give to an adjunct instructor?

Rodney Foster

Instructor - Aviation Maintenance Technology Instructor - Airframe & Powerplant Technology, Orange Coast College

Orange Coast College (OCC) teaches Aircraft Maintenance Technology (AMT) and Avionics. Although the Government has dampened air travel by putting up restrictions to prevent a Covid-19 spread, there is still a certified mechanic/skilled labor shortage. I believe all our students will have permanent jobs within a six-month search. OCC AMT is listed as an essential workforce by the state of California and is back in classes full-time, Face-to-face labs, and online lectures. Our next semester registration maximum filled in two days and still has over 35 additional students per class on the waiting list.

ScoreAdjunct InstructorUS Average

Salary

4.1

Avg. Salary $52,030

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.9

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.60%

Asian 7.49%

Black or African American 11.81%

Hispanic or Latino 13.76%

Unknown 6.00%

White 60.34%

Gender

female 54.77%

male 45.23%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

6.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.9

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an adjunct instructor

Explore adjunct instructor education requirements

Most common adjunct instructor degrees

Bachelor's

50.4 %

Master's

31.0 %

Associate

10.7 %

Start to develop specific adjunct instructor skills

Skills	Percentages
Student Learning	9.54%
Syllabus	6.90%
Student Performance	5.40%
Professional Development	5.24%
Philosophy	4.99%

Research adjunct instructor duties and responsibilities

Utilize blackboard management system to encourage online discussions and manage grades.
Develop syllabus, PowerPoint presentations on the disease model of alcoholism, physiology and pharmacology of addictive drugs and introduction to counseling
Revise and update syllabus with contemporary psychology, economics, and sociology research.
Experience with blackboard online software, facilitate on line instruction and assessments, utilize advanced technologies for presentations.

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