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The differences between professors and adjunct faculty members can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a professor, becoming an adjunct faculty member takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a professor has an average salary of $157,570, which is higher than the $60,817 average annual salary of an adjunct faculty member.
The top three skills for a professor include philosophy, curriculum development and mathematics. The most important skills for an adjunct faculty member are syllabus, curriculum development, and powerpoint.
| Professor | Adjunct Faculty Member | |
| Yearly salary | $157,570 | $60,817 |
| Hourly rate | $75.75 | $29.24 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 21,861 | 28,981 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
A professor is a teaching professional who provides instructions to students on various academic and vocational subjects in colleges, universities, and vocational schools. Professors design curriculums for courses and ensure that they meet college and department students. They continuously conduct research and experiments so that advanced knowledge in their field is completed. They share their research and works by publishing them in books and academic journals. They also provide assistance to graduating students.
An adjunct faculty member teaches part-time at learning institutions, usually on a contractual basis. Although their duties depend on their position or area of expertise, it usually includes preparing lessons and coursework plans, administering examinations, producing learning materials, grading tests and quizzes, and assisting students as necessary. They also organize various activities meant to enhance the students' skills and abilities. Moreover, they may participate in different committees and work together with fellow educators in maintaining an effective and safe learning environment for everyone.
Professors and adjunct faculty members have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Professor | Adjunct Faculty Member | |
| Average salary | $157,570 | $60,817 |
| Salary range | Between $88,000 And $280,000 | Between $37,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Hoboken, NJ |
| Highest paying state | California | Ohio |
| Best paying company | Oregon Health & Science University | Nebraska Methodist Health System |
| Best paying industry | Education | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a professor and an adjunct faculty member in terms of educational background:
| Professor | Adjunct Faculty Member | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between professors' and adjunct faculty members' demographics:
| Professor | Adjunct Faculty Member | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.7% Female, 43.3% | Male, 44.9% Female, 55.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 12.8% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 11.3% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |