What is an Associate Professor?

Q: Do you need a Ph.D. to be an associate professor?

No, you do not need a Ph.D. to be an associate professor. While some colleges and universities may require a Ph.D. to be an associate professor, the minimum requirement for the position is a master's degree in their field.

Associate professors are members of an academic staff ranking right below professors. They give classes and conduct research at universities. They have an obligation to publish articles in academic journals and attend conferences to present the results of their research. They assist and support students in their academic work as well.

To become an associate professor, first of all, you need to excel and prove to be relevant in your field. In an ideal world that would be enough, but in reality, you need excellent networking skills as well, and you have to be able to manage various tasks at the same time, meeting tight deadlines and contributing to the administrative tasks of the department doing committee work.

Academia can offer a beautiful and highly fulfilling career. You will need a bit of luck and perhaps a good amount of doggedness to make it to be promoted to full professor if you manage to get on the tenure track at all, but once you are there, it will be worth the ride.

What Does an Associate Professor Do

There are certain skills that many associate professors have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed interpersonal skills, speaking skills and writing skills.

Learn more about what an Associate Professor does

How To Become an Associate Professor

If you're interested in becoming an associate professor, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 43.3% of associate professors have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 24.0% of associate professors have master's degrees. Even though most associate professors have a college degree, it's impossible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.

Learn More About How To Become an Associate Professor

Top Associate Professor Jobs Near You

Associate Professor Career Paths

In addition to switching up your job search, it might prove helpful to look at a career path for your specific job. Now, what's a career path you ask? Well, it's practically a map that shows how you might advance from one job title to another. Our career paths are especially detailed with salary changes. So, for example, if you started out with the role of adjunct professor you might progress to a role such as principal eventually. Later on in your career, you could end up with the title principal.

Associate Professor

Department Chairperson

Department Chairperson

Assistant Principal

10 Years

Scientist

Senior Research Associate

6 Years

Top Careers Before Associate Professor

Assistant Professor (30,531 Jobs)

25.7 %

Instructor (39,273 Jobs)

8.6 %

Adjunct Professor (22,488 Jobs)

5.4 %

Top Careers After Associate Professor

Professor (21,861 Jobs)

17.1 %

Adjunct Professor (22,488 Jobs)

10.8 %

Director (230,711 Jobs)

8.2 %

Recent Job Searches

Average Salary for an Associate Professor

Associate Professors in America make an average salary of $103,292 per year or $50 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $189,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $56,000 per year.

Average Associate Professor Salary

$103,292 Yearly

$49.66 hourly

$56,00010%

$103,000Median

$189,00090%

See More Salary Information

What Am I Worth?

Roles and Types of Associate Professor

The role of an associate professor includes a wide range of responsibilities. These responsibilities can vary based on an individual's specific job, company, or industry.Here are some general associate professor responsibilities:

You will spend approximately 30% of your time as the director of the echocardiography laboratory. Clinical: you will spend approximately 50% of your time as a noninvasive cardiologist. Your duties will include outpatient clinics, inpatient rotations on the coronary care
Possess a strong dedication to clinical activities, as they relate to an individual's areas of expertise
The successful applicant will contribute to existing breeding objectives as well as develop new breeding objectives targeted toward the release of potato varieties adapted to the growing regions of texas. These objectives include identifying varieties with increased tolerance to biotic

There are several types of associate professor, including:

Adjunct Professor

Role:

So if you're wondering if there's a difference between the adjunct professor that taught your chemistry I class and the professor who teaches the astronomy II class, there is. An adjunct professor is typically hired on a contractual basis.

While it may not be a permanent position, an adjunct professor does essentially the same things a regular professor does. From writing a syllabus to teaching the class, holding office hours and grading tests, an adjunct professor position really is a great starting point if you want to become a full-time professor in the future. Or, ya know, if you just need a little extra cash on the side.

Average Salary: $98,821
Degree: Bachelor's Degree

Adjunct Instructor

Role:

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.

Average Salary: $52,030
Degree: Bachelor's Degree

Adjunct Faculty

Role:

The adjunct faculty is responsible for teaching graduates and undergraduate students in a specific field of expertise. You are allowed to plan, create, lecture, and provide in-class discussions and assignments. Your job allows you to plan and develop a syllabus and ensure it meets college and departmental standards. Plus, you are responsible for grading and assigning papers, exams, and quizzes.

You will give class instructions, evaluate students' performance, and also coordinate courseware and curriculum with the academic department head. However, you will need to be a people person as you need to develop and sustain relationships with students for effectiveness. You will also need to participate in faculty meetings involving departmental updates, prepare materials and supervise the distribution, and make copies of supplementary materials available for distribution in class. You may also be required to maintain a record of student progress, involvement, and attendance.

An adjunct faculty must be detail-oriented, punctual, and must be able to motivate. He/She must also be a lover of academics, possess excellent communication skills, self-discipline, and the ability to teach well. The average salary of an adjunct faculty yearly is $50,000. An adjunct faculty must have a Master's degree in a related academic field.

Average Salary: $83,069
Degree: Bachelor's Degree

States With The Most Associate Professor Jobs

Mouse over a state to see the number of active associate professor jobs in each state. The darker areas on the map show where associate professors earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.

Average Salary: Job Openings:

Number Of Associate Professor Jobs By State

Rank	State	Number of Jobs	Average Salary
1	New York	1,323	$114,044
2	Texas	1,270	$107,865
3	California	1,060	$135,590
4	Virginia	918	$92,404
5	Pennsylvania	633	$90,819
6	Colorado	573	$93,504
7	Florida	512	$104,815
8	North Carolina	465	$102,456
9	New Jersey	458	$93,779
10	Indiana	449	$85,303
11	Illinois	398	$79,332
12	Ohio	376	$88,352
13	Georgia	365	$100,391
14	Maryland	361	$96,225
15	Oregon	348	$120,285
16	Massachusetts	339	$114,423
17	Michigan	310	$101,932
18	South Carolina	276	$86,818
19	Wisconsin	262	$79,686
20	Kentucky	252	$81,651
21	Alabama	248	$105,705
22	Minnesota	245	$101,831
23	Washington	212	$104,828
24	Missouri	209	$91,550
25	Louisiana	199	$107,100
26	Iowa	197	$88,438
27	Tennessee	162	$90,257
28	Utah	161	$111,514
29	West Virginia	145	$58,384
30	Mississippi	143	$98,778
31	Nebraska	118	$100,301
32	Arizona	111	$102,456
33	Alaska	91	$99,309
34	Montana	81	$83,589
35	Connecticut	79	$106,189
36	Kansas	72	$82,176
37	New Mexico	71	$99,102
38	Oklahoma	66	$90,960
39	South Dakota	62	$82,591
40	Vermont	61	$83,158
41	Arkansas	56	$98,218
42	Rhode Island	53	$88,185
43	Maine	46	$78,146
44	New Hampshire	42	$88,696
45	Delaware	32	$88,777
46	Idaho	24	$112,289
47	Nevada	23	$92,806
48	North Dakota	19	$88,160
49	Wyoming	16	$75,665
50	Hawaii	9	$87,013

Associate Professor Education

Associate Professor Majors

Nursing

16.0 %

Business

8.8 %

Biology

6.6 %

Associate Professor Degrees

Admissions

Most Popular Majors

Biology

Education

Psychology

Electrical Engineering

Political Science

Top Skills For an Associate Professor

The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we've found all of the skills you'll need so even if you don't have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 14.8% of associate professors listed patients on their resume, but soft skills such as interpersonal skills and speaking skills are important as well.

Patients, 14.8%

Public Health, 10.5%

Philosophy, 8.0%

Pediatrics, 4.3%

Social Work, 3.9%

Other Skills, 58.5%

Choose From 10+ Customizable Associate Professor Resume templates

Zippia allows you to choose from different easy-to-use Associate Professor templates, and provides you with expert advice. Using the templates, you can rest assured that the structure and format of your Associate Professor resume is top notch. Choose a template with the colors, fonts & text sizes that are appropriate for your industry.

Associate Professor Demographics

Associate Professor Gender Distribution

Male

57%

Female

43%

After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:

Among associate professors, 43.0% of them are women, while 57.0% are men.

The most common race/ethnicity among associate professors is White, which makes up 61.9% of all associate professors.

The most common foreign language among associate professors is Spanish at 28.5%.

Online Courses For Associate Professor That You May Like

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Self-determination theory (SDT) is an empirically based theory of motivation and psychological development that is especially focused on the basic psychological needs that promote high quality motivation and wellness, and how they are supported in social contexts. SDT details how the styles and strategies of motivators such as parents, teachers, coaches, managers, and health-care professionals can promote or undermine engagement and the positive consequences that follow from it. In this course,...

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What is a genome? A genome contains all of the information that a cell needs to develop, function, and reproduce itself, and all the information needed for those cells to come together to form a person, plant, or animal. Genomes contain an organism’s complete set of genes, and also the even tinier genetic structures that help regulate when and how those genes are used. The ability to regrow a torn ligament, the clues that might predict the onset of mental illness, the nutritional potential of...

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3. AWS Certified Developer Associate Practice Exams

4.8

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Be an AWS Certified Developer! Covers AWS Certified Developer topics to pass the AWS Certified Developer Associate exam!...

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Best States For an Associate Professor

Some places are better than others when it comes to starting a career as an associate professor. The best states for people in this position are California, Oregon, Massachusetts, and New York. Associate professors make the most in California with an average salary of $135,590. Whereas in Oregon and Massachusetts, they would average $120,285 and $114,423, respectively. While associate professors would only make an average of $114,044 in New York, you would still make more there than in the rest of the country. We determined these as the best states based on job availability and pay. By finding the median salary, cost of living, and using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Location Quotient, we narrowed down our list of states to these four.

1. Oregon

Total Associate Professor Jobs: 348

Highest 10% Earn:

$187,000

Location Quotient:

1.69

$120,285

Avg. Salary

View 348 Associate Professor Jobs In OR

2. New York

Total Associate Professor Jobs: 1,323

Highest 10% Earn:

$197,000

Location Quotient:

2.08

$114,044

Avg. Salary

View 1,323 Associate Professor Jobs In NY

3. Texas

Total Associate Professor Jobs: 1,270

Highest 10% Earn:

$192,000

Location Quotient:

1.26

$107,865

Avg. Salary

View 1,270 Associate Professor Jobs In TX

Full List Of Best States For Associate Professors

How Do Associate Professor Rate Their Jobs?

Top Associate Professor Employers

Most Common Employers For Associate Professor

Rank	Company	Average Salary	Hourly Rate	Job Openings
1	UMiami Health System	$204,477	$98.31	63
2	University of Washington	$166,751	$80.17	55
3	New York University	$139,878	$67.25	75
4	Univ. Of Texas Cancer Ctr.	$130,329	$62.66	52
5	University of Pittsburgh	$128,547	$61.80	76
6	Johns Hopkins University	$128,166	$61.62	87
7	Boston College	$127,791	$61.44	55
8	University of Iowa Center for Advancement	$124,392	$59.80	60
9	Columbia University in the City of New York	$120,643	$58.00	62
10	University of North Carolina	$117,869	$56.67	64

Associate Professor Videos

A day in the life of Laurie McMillan - Associate Professor of English @ Marywood University

Teaching Career - Associate Professor on Skills, Pros Cons & Typical Day | YouCareer

Becoming an Associate Professor FAQs

Do You Need A Ph.d. To Be An Associate Professor?

No, you do not need a Ph.D. to be an associate professor. While some colleges and universities may require a Ph.D. to be an associate professor, the minimum requirement for the position is a master's degree in their field.

How Does An Associate Professor Become A Professor?

An associate professor becomes a full professor when they have achieved the necessary experience and can be promoted to a higher-level position. This means gaining their Ph.D. if they do not already have one and fulfilling all the teaching requirements necessary for promotion.

How Many Years Does It Take To Become An Associate Professor?

It typically takes about five to seven years after gaining a master's degree or completing a doctoral program to become an associate professor. Although some graduates might get hired at the associate professor level, most work their way up through the ranks, beginning as lecturers or assistant professors.

What Is The Difference Between A Professor And An Associate Professor?

The difference between a professor and an associate professor is their professional rank in the college and university setting. A professor is the most senior-level university educator who has achieved the highest promotion available on the tenure track.

Have more questions? See all answers to common education, training, and library questions.

Search For Associate Professor Jobs

Updated February 6, 2023

What is an Associate Professor?

What Does an Associate Professor Do

How To Become an Associate Professor

Associate Professor Career Paths

Top Careers Before Associate Professor

Top Careers After Associate Professor

Recent Job Searches

Average Salary for an Associate Professor

Roles and Types of Associate Professor

Adjunct Professor

Adjunct Instructor

Adjunct Faculty

States With The Most Associate Professor Jobs

Number Of Associate Professor Jobs By State

Associate Professor Education

Associate Professor Majors

Associate Professor Degrees

Top Colleges for Associate Professors

1. University of Texas at Austin

2. Duke University

3. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

4. Northwestern University

5. University of Southern California

6. University of Pennsylvania

7. Columbia University in the City of New York

8. Harvard University

9. Cornell University

10. Pennsylvania State University

Top Skills For an Associate Professor

Choose From 10+ Customizable Associate Professor Resume templates

Associate Professor Demographics

Associate Professor Gender Distribution

Online Courses For Associate Professor That You May Like

Best States For an Associate Professor

How Do Associate Professor Rate Their Jobs?

Top Associate Professor Employers

Most Common Employers For Associate Professor

Associate Professor Videos

Becoming an Associate Professor FAQs

Do You Need A Ph.d. To Be An Associate Professor?

How Does An Associate Professor Become A Professor?

How Many Years Does It Take To Become An Associate Professor?

What Is The Difference Between A Professor And An Associate Professor?

Search For Associate Professor Jobs

Associate Professor Related Careers

Associate Professor Related Jobs

Associate Professor Jobs By Location

Associate Professor Jobs By Company