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This question is about what an adjunct instructor does, what an adjunct faculty does, and adjunct instructor.
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.
In fact, adjunct professors make up the majority of instructors in higher education (post-secondary) institutions. As a part-time position, there is a set limit in how many courses an adjunct can teach, usually ten credits or two classes a semester.
On average, an adjunct is paid $3,500 a course. A typical course semester lasts 15 to 17 weeks, which means an adjunct professor averages between $20,000 and $25,000 a year. Not to mention that since it's a part-time faculty position, universities and colleges do not have to pay for benefits or retirement plans.
Compare this to a full-time professor, whose average salary is $80,000 a year with benefits. Ultimately colleges save a lot of money by hiring several part-time adjunct instructors instead of full-time faculty.
In many cases, to become a tenured professor means that you need to generate a lot of grant money for research. This is because 50 to 70% of the grant money given to the professor goes directly to the university. The professor uses the remaining money to conduct the research.
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