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What is a chemistry instructor, adjunct and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
David McMahan Ph.D.

The brilliant chemists of tomorrow need to start somewhere. Before they can lead their own brilliant experiments, they need to learn the basics of chemical interactions, how to use lab equipment, and conduct experiments without burning off their eyebrows. Adjunct chemistry instructors work at universities and help teach chemistry to students.

Adjunct chemistry instructors design courses and lecture on chemistry concepts in the classroom, but they do so much more. They help design experiments and supervise students during lab work. Outside of the classroom or lab, they grade student problem sets and provide students with one-on-one help during office hours.

Most chemistry departments have many different kinds of faculty. A chemistry instructor is different from a professor because they usually only have a master's while professors have doctorates. An adjunct chemistry instructor is usually hired as a contractor on a temporary contract, while a full-time instructor is a direct-hire with a permanent contract. On average, adjunct chemistry instructors tend to make $75,131 a year.

What general advice would you give to a chemistry instructor, adjunct?

David McMahan Ph.D.David McMahan Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Charles A. Dana Professor of Religious Studies, Franklin and Marshall College

Keep open to possibilities beyond the narrow range of what your diploma lists as your major or minor. Whatever job you get trained for today, in 10-20 years, it may be very different. Or it may not exist. Focus on obtaining and maintaining flexibility, critical thinking, creativity, and passion for learning. Being an interesting person is as vital as any credential.
ScoreChemistry Instructor, AdjunctUS Average
Salary
5.2

Avg. Salary $66,675

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.6

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.28%

Asian 12.33%

Black or African American 7.15%

Hispanic or Latino 10.18%

Unknown 4.93%

White 65.13%

Gender

female 50.48%

male 49.52%

Age - 46
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 - 46
Stress level
6.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
10.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Chemistry instructor, adjunct career paths

Key steps to become a chemistry instructor, adjunct

  1. Explore chemistry instructor, adjunct education requirements

    Most common chemistry instructor, adjunct degrees

    Bachelor's

    60.0 %

    Master's

    24.1 %

    Doctorate

    10.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific chemistry instructor, adjunct skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Colleges18.19%
    Syllabus16.21%
    Lab Courses14.46%
    Course Content9.31%
    Student Performance7.98%
  3. Research chemistry instructor, adjunct duties and responsibilities

    • Assist classmates with developing positive study habits and strategies for managing classroom material.
    • Develop syllabus and on-line learning management tools.
    • Used variety of teaching techniques to encourage student critical thinking and discussion in collegiate anatomy and physiology course.
    • Lead phlebotomy clinical laboratory skills' development by demonstration and observation and help of students practice.
  4. Prepare your chemistry instructor, adjunct resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your chemistry instructor, adjunct resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a chemistry instructor, adjunct resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable chemistry instructor, adjunct resume templates

    Build a professional chemistry instructor, adjunct resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your chemistry instructor, adjunct resume.
    Chemistry Instructor, Adjunct Resume
    Chemistry Instructor, Adjunct Resume
    Chemistry Instructor, Adjunct Resume
    Chemistry Instructor, Adjunct Resume
    Chemistry Instructor, Adjunct Resume
    Chemistry Instructor, Adjunct Resume
    Chemistry Instructor, Adjunct Resume
    Chemistry Instructor, Adjunct Resume
    Chemistry Instructor, Adjunct Resume
  5. Apply for chemistry instructor, adjunct jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a chemistry instructor, adjunct job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first chemistry instructor, adjunct job

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Average chemistry instructor, adjunct salary

The average chemistry instructor, adjunct salary in the United States is $66,675 per year or $32 per hour. Chemistry instructor, adjunct salaries range between $39,000 and $113,000 per year.

Average chemistry instructor, adjunct salary
$66,675 Yearly
$32.06 hourly

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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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