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Assistant professor vs faculty member

The differences between assistant professors and faculty members can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an assistant professor and a faculty member. Additionally, a faculty member has an average salary of $102,849, which is higher than the $87,099 average annual salary of an assistant professor.

The top three skills for an assistant professor include patients, public health and pediatrics. The most important skills for a faculty member are public health, mathematics, and curriculum development.

Assistant professor vs faculty member overview

Assistant ProfessorFaculty Member
Yearly salary$87,099$102,849
Hourly rate$41.87$49.45
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs30,53130,325
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

What does an assistant professor do?

An assistant professor is an entry-level position who teaches in a university, conducts research, and assists senior professors. Assistant professors supervise undergraduate and graduate students at the same time provide professors and department heads with feedback on the progress of their students. To be effective in teaching and mentoring students, assistant professors must possess strong communication skills with advanced knowledge of their field. They must also have a Ph. D degree in the relevant academic discipline as well as teaching experience in a university setting.

What does a faculty member do?

A faculty member is responsible for teaching students a wide range of both vocational and academic subjects. As a faculty member, you will teach and impart knowledge to your students and help them with the learning process and knowledge application. Some of the duties that you will perform include collaborating with colleagues in modifying the curriculum, counseling them about learning difficulties, life choices, and personal problems, and writing recommendations to aid students to secure internships or jobs. You will also participate in activities of professional associations to advance research and standards in the field.

Assistant professor vs faculty member salary

Assistant professors and faculty members have different pay scales, as shown below.

Assistant ProfessorFaculty Member
Average salary$87,099$102,849
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $151,000Between $57,000 And $185,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCYoungstown, OH
Highest paying stateHawaiiHawaii
Best paying companyUT Medical Group, Inc.Southeastern Lifestyle Fitness Center Lumberton
Best paying industryGovernmentHealth Care

Differences between assistant professor and faculty member education

There are a few differences between an assistant professor and a faculty member in terms of educational background:

Assistant ProfessorFaculty Member
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorNursingBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Assistant professor vs faculty member demographics

Here are the differences between assistant professors' and faculty members' demographics:

Assistant ProfessorFaculty Member
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 55.5% Female, 44.5%Male, 51.0% Female, 49.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 17.4% White, 62.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 12.7% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between assistant professor and faculty member duties and responsibilities

Assistant professor example responsibilities.

  • Lead outreach to community and statewide stakeholders in the PPCC entrepreneurship program.
  • Used blackboard online to manage students tests, grade papers and assign materials.
  • Develop courses in immunology and research ethics, and develop super laboratory courses in cellular physiology and molecular biology.
  • Conduct research using molecular biology, genetics, histochemistry, cell biology, biochemistry.
  • Chair psychology and sociology departments, teach psychology classes, revise student practicum program, establish outreach mechanisms to reach alternative students
  • Serve as professor for humanities and sociology.
  • Show more

Faculty member example responsibilities.

  • Lead instruction in non-credit ESL self-enrichment conversation courses (as needed).
  • Develop and manage syllabus materials.
  • Update the course curriculum for economics and drama to encompass a wider array of topics.
  • Develop and teach college courses in ethics, philosophy, sociology, religion and international affairs.
  • Conduct review sessions in anatomy, physiology and microbiology.
  • Teach undergraduate courses relate to psychology, physiology, and development
  • Show more

Assistant professor vs faculty member skills

Common assistant professor skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Public Health, 6%
  • Pediatrics, 5%
  • Curriculum Development, 4%
  • Research Projects, 4%
  • Professional Development, 4%
Common faculty member skills
  • Public Health, 15%
  • Mathematics, 11%
  • Curriculum Development, 10%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Course Materials, 5%

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