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The differences between visiting assistant professors and professors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a visiting assistant professor, becoming a professor takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a professor has an average salary of $157,570, which is higher than the $72,541 average annual salary of a visiting assistant professor.
The top three skills for a visiting assistant professor include philosophy, literature and mathematics. The most important skills for a professor are philosophy, curriculum development, and mathematics.
| Visiting Assistant Professor | Professor | |
| Yearly salary | $72,541 | $157,570 |
| Hourly rate | $34.88 | $75.75 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 27,503 | 21,861 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A visiting assistant professor's responsibilities revolve around performing support tasks and conducting lectures while under the supervision or directives of a more experienced professor. Typically working for a limited period, a visiting assistant professor's duties are no different from full-time workers as their responsibilities revolve around assessing student progress through activities and examinations, developing a series of lectures, and preparing coursework. They may also monitor the progress of students, all while maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone.
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.
Visiting assistant professors and professors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Visiting Assistant Professor | Professor | |
| Average salary | $72,541 | $157,570 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $125,000 | Between $88,000 And $280,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | California |
| Best paying company | University of Illinois System | Oregon Health & Science University |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a visiting assistant professor and a professor in terms of educational background:
| Visiting Assistant Professor | Professor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Mathematics | Business |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between visiting assistant professors' and professors' demographics:
| Visiting Assistant Professor | Professor | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.2% Female, 41.8% | Male, 56.7% Female, 43.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 14.7% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |