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What does an Adjunct Instructor do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted Expert
Rebecca Sarver

An adjunct instructor is a faculty member responsible for teaching an area of expertise within a specific contract period. The duties of an adjunct instructor are almost identical as a regular instructor, only that the work benefits are limited. These duties include preparing comprehensive lesson plans, monitoring the students' learning progress, and evaluating their knowledge by conducting tests and activities. An adjunct instructor must have an extensive comprehension of the learning curriculum to provide lectures accordingly.

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Adjunct instructor responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real adjunct instructor resumes:

  • 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.
  • Prepare and deliver brief lectures to undergraduate students on topics such as mammalian physiology, reproduction, genetics, etc.
  • Modele positive work ethics, punctuality and professionalism.
  • Instruct introductory and general chemistry lecture and laboratory courses
  • Train undergraduate business students in communication and professionalism and business ethics.
  • Instruct undergraduate chemistry laboratory classes for science and non-science major students.
  • Develop sociology and psychology curriculum for delivery of classroom and online courses.
  • Create syllabus for and teach an individual seminar focusing on historical methodology.
  • Mentore students regarding study habits and proper research techniques for professional papers.
  • Present lectures to medical students on topics of rehabilitation and exercise prescription.
  • Teach particular emphasis on the cardiovascular and respiratory physiology of the human body.
  • Present on various behavior analytic concepts/strategies pertinent to students' practicum tier level.

Adjunct instructor skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Adjunct Instructors are proficient in Student Learning, Syllabus, and Student Performance. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Speaking skills, and Writing skills.

We break down the percentage of Adjunct Instructors that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Student Learning, 10%

    Revised curriculum for Animation Program, including establishing Student Learning Outcomes and evaluation strategies, writing descriptions and course sequencing.

  • Syllabus, 7%

    Developed Community Health curriculum and syllabus for RN-BSN students, clinical instructor for 4th semester nursing students in medical-surgical areas

  • Student Performance, 5%

    Developed lesson plans, administered testing, presided over lab study and clinical rotations, and assessed student performance/progress.

  • Professional Development, 5%

    Facilitate 11 interdisciplinary professional development workshops on sustainability.

  • Philosophy, 5%

    Designed and taught introductory philosophy courses, including Introduction to Philosophy and Philosophy and Aesthetics.

  • Course Curriculum, 4%

    Develop and facilitate course curriculum for students in areas such as business management, business communications, and office procedures.

"student learning," "syllabus," and "student performance" are among the most common skills that adjunct instructors use at work. You can find even more adjunct instructor responsibilities below, including:

Communication skills. For certain adjunct instructor responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "communication skills." The day-to-day duties of an adjunct instructor rely on this skill, as "career and technical education teachers must explain concepts in terms that students can understand." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what adjunct instructors do: "instructed and advised post secondary students in curriculum courses of communication, economics, and sociology. "

Organizational skills. Another crucial skill for an adjunct instructor to carry out their responsibilities is "organizational skills." A big part of what adjunct instructors relies on this skill, since "career and technical education teachers must coordinate their time and teaching materials." How this skill relates to adjunct instructor duties can be seen in an example from an adjunct instructor resume snippet: "modified curriculum and employed strong problem solving and organizational skills to coordinate the presentation of course content, and meet institutional deadlines"

Patience. While "patience" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to adjunct instructor responsibilities. Much of what an adjunct instructor does relies on this skill, seeing as "working with students of different abilities and backgrounds can be difficult." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of adjunct instructors: "modeled exceptional levels of patience, leadership, and ideals of equality during all events. "

All adjunct instructor skills

The three companies that hire the most adjunct instructors are:

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Compare different adjunct instructors

Adjunct instructor vs. Instructor, adjunct faculty

An adjunct faculty member works in a state university or college. They typically work on a part-time or contractual basis. Although they work in a university, they have limited responsibilities compared to those who work as a regular instructor, but they still need appropriate work etiquette and a love of teaching and working with students. Like any other instructor, they develop learning material, conduct lectures, prepare exams, and assess students' grades.

The annual salary of instructors, adjunct faculty is $195 higher than the average salary of adjunct instructors.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both adjunct instructor and instructor, adjunct faculty positions are skilled in student learning, syllabus, and student performance.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between adjunct instructors and instructor, adjunct faculty. For instance, adjunct instructor responsibilities require skills such as "philosophy," "origination," "learning objectives," and "learning process." Whereas a instructor, adjunct faculty is skilled in "learning outcomes," "instructional strategies," "lms," and "patient care." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Instructors, adjunct faculty tend to make the most money working in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $54,888. In contrast, adjunct instructors make the biggest average salary, $56,144, in the education industry.The education levels that instructors, adjunct faculty earn slightly differ from adjunct instructors. In particular, instructors, adjunct faculty are 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an adjunct instructor. Additionally, they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Adjunct instructor vs. Adjunct faculty

Adjunct faculty is the collective term for adjunct professors or lecturers. The adjunct faculty teaches students based on the limited-term of their contract. Oftentimes, they teach preparatory or introductory courses by semester arrangement for the entire academic year. Most of them are employed in higher education. Unlike regular professors, adjunct faculty do not have benefits and are not required to be present in meetings. They can work as either a contract professor or a part-time professor.

On average, adjunct faculties earn a $31,039 higher salary than adjunct instructors a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Adjunct instructors and adjunct faculties both require similar skills like "student learning," "syllabus," and "student performance" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real adjunct instructor resumes. While adjunct instructor responsibilities can utilize skills like "healthcare," "origination," "learning process," and "database," adjunct faculties use skills like "social work," "math," "graduate courses," and "public health."

Adjunct faculties may earn a higher salary than adjunct instructors, but adjunct faculties earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $115,189. On the other hand, adjunct instructors receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $56,144.In general, adjunct faculties achieve similar levels of education than adjunct instructors. They're 2.4% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Adjunct Instructors in the next 3-5 years?

Rebecca SarverRebecca Sarver LinkedIn Profile

Lecturer in Human Services Studies, Elmira College

The use of remote and virtual meetings will continue even after COVID-19. Face to face meetings may still be the preferred method of contact, but the reality is that many clients who need to access services do not have reliable and consistent transportation to get to the services. Phones and computers enable more convenient meetings that are less costly in terms of time and travel. Some clients may prefer not to leave their homes.

Adjunct instructor vs. Learning center instructor

Learning center instructors' primary goal is to give direct mediation instruction for recognized students. They cooperate with staff members on suitable student placement for constructive learning. Their duties include directing all activities concerning planning, organization, development, communication, and delivery of training programs as well as initiatives. They work on leadership strategies for assisting children's emotional and social development and handling their behavior. Additionally, they coordinate with community organizations, facilities, and other professionals to design balanced recreational routines for participants.

On average scale, learning center instructors bring in lower salaries than adjunct instructors. In fact, they earn a $18,901 lower salary per year.By looking over several adjunct instructors and learning center instructors resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "syllabus," "student performance," and "professional development." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from adjunct instructor resumes include skills like "student learning," "philosophy," "instructional materials," and "course content," whereas a learning center instructor is more likely to list skills in "math," "basic mathematics," "child care," and "study. "

Learning center instructors earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $37,954. Comparatively, adjunct instructors have the highest earning potential in the education industry, with an average salary of $56,144.Most learning center instructors achieve a lower degree level compared to adjunct instructors. For example, they're 15.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 3.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Adjunct instructor vs. College instructor

A certified veterinary technician is in charge of performing laboratory tests, participating in medical procedures, and performing clerical support tasks at veterinary clinics, zoos, and private laboratories. Their responsibilities often include collecting information from pet owners, studying patients' medical histories, gathering and analyzing samples from patients through various laboratory procedures, operating equipment and machines, and monitoring patients' conditions. Moreover, under the supervision of a veterinarian, they may also provide first-aid to animals and administer medication.

College instructors typically earn lower pay than adjunct instructors. On average, college instructors earn a $1,446 lower salary per year.While their salaries may vary, adjunct instructors and college instructors both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "student learning," "syllabus," and "student performance. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between adjunct instructors and college instructors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an adjunct instructor might have more use for skills like "origination," "learning objectives," "learning process," and "student attendance." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of college instructors require skills like "social work," "math," "money management," and "learning outcomes. "

The education industry tends to pay the highest salaries for college instructors, with average annual pay of $50,236. Comparatively, the highest adjunct instructor annual salary comes from the education industry.In general, college instructors hold similar degree levels compared to adjunct instructors. College instructors are 2.7% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of adjunct instructor

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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