Is an assistant professor entry level?

Yes, an Assistant Professor is typically an entry-level position in academia, especially for those on the tenure-track path, representing the first step up from instructor/lecturer roles, requiring a terminal degree (like a PhD) and serving as a probationary period before potential promotion to Associate Professor. While entry-level for a professorship, it's a significant role involving research, teaching, and service, often requiring prior post-doctoral experience, notes Education Crossing and ZipRecruiter.

What is an entry-level professor called?

Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty

INSTRUCTOR IN <DISCIPLINE> Entry-level position, generally for those who have not yet completed their terminal degree. ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF <DISCIPLINE> Entry-level position, generally for those who have completed their terminal degree. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF <DISCIPLINE>

Is assistant professor the lowest rank?

Traditionally, Assistant Professor has been the usual entry-level rank for faculty on the "tenure track", although this depends on the institution and the field.

What level of education do you need to be an assistant professor?

To become an assistant professor, you will typically need a doctoral degree, although some colleges might only require a master's degree. Additionally, you might need additional experiences in teaching and research after your doctoral studies.

How much is the salary of an assistant professor?

An Assistant Professor's salary in the U.S. varies significantly by field, institution, and location, generally ranging from $60,000 to over $100,000 annually, with national averages around $80,000-$85,000, but top earners in high-demand fields like Computer Science or Business can exceed $150,000-$200,000+ with experience and grants. 

Vlog 88 - How to become a professor

What is the highest salary of an assistant professor?

The highest salaries for Assistant Professors are typically in Medical Fields (UPMC, UAB Medicine, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center), Top Research Universities (Harvard, MIT), and Specialized Tech/Finance Roles (Regeneron, Meta), with some top earners potentially reaching over $200k-$300k+ (e.g., UPMC reporting $400k) through grants, specialized roles, and high-cost-of-living areas, far exceeding the typical $80k-$100k range at general universities.
 

What is the minimum salary of an assistant professor?

The minimum salary for an Assistant Professor varies widely by institution, location, and discipline, but generally starts in the $50,000 to $70,000+ range for 9-month contracts, with some universities setting floors around $53,000 (UVA) or over $60,000 (UNR), while private/research institutions and high-cost areas can see starting salaries much higher, often above $80,000 or $100,000. 

What are the three levels of professor?

The three core levels of professor in U.S. academia, forming the typical tenure track, are Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Full (or just Professor), representing a progression from entry-level to the highest rank, with promotion involving rigorous review of research, teaching, and service, leading to increased job security (tenure) and prestige at each step. 

How long does it take to become an assistant professor?

This position is generally taken after earning a doctoral degree and sometimes after several years of holding one or more postdoctoral researcher positions. It is below the position of associate professor at most universities and is equivalent to the rank of lecturer at most Commonwealth universities.

How do you introduce yourself as an assistant professor?

Keep your introduction concise

Introduce yourself and express your interest in the assistant professor position. Clearly state your enthusiasm for teaching and your qualifications for the role, avoiding unnecessary details or lengthy explanations.

What is a professor without a PhD called?

Not all professors have PhDs. In fine arts, social work, and law, many professors will have an MFA, MSW, or JD (respectively) rather than a doctoral degree. And although some professors might also be doctors, “Professor” is a higher rank and thus tends to be preferred.

At what age do you become an assistant professor?

As would be expected, most new assistant professors are in their thirties. Among tenure-track faculty older than 55, nearly two-thirds (65%) hold the rank of full professor, whereas more than one quarter (28%) are associate professors, and a small number (6%) are assistant professors.

Is an assistant professor still a professor?

Most newly-minted PhDs are hired as assistant professors, promoted to associate upon achieving tenure, and go through an additional review, five to seven years later, for promotion to full professor.

Do you need a PhD to be an assistant professor?

Many two-year schools only require instructors to have their master's degree for teaching introductory courses, while some four-year institutions accept these types of instructors on a part-time basis. However, most four-year institutions require a research or professional doctorate in the field you intend to teach.

Can professors make 300k?

Yes, some university professors can make over $300k, especially in high-demand fields like Business, Law, Engineering, and Medicine at top universities, or those with substantial grants, but it's not typical for all professors, with many in humanities earning significantly less, while top administrators can also reach these figures. High salaries are often due to competition with industry, external consulting, or large research grants, making fields like computer science, finance, or clinical medicine lucrative. 

What is the equivalent of assistant professor?

There are three faculty ranks "Assistant Professor", "Associate Professor" and "Professor." The earlier designations of lecturer (equivalent to junior assistant professor), senior lecturer (equivalent to assistant professor), and reader (equivalent to associate professor) have been abolished since 2009.

What is the level below professor?

Among the common ranks are professor, associate professor (docent), assistant professor and lecturer/instructor. In most cases, the academic rank is automatically attached to a person at the time of employment in a position with the same name, and deprived when a working relationship ends.

How much is an assistant professor paid in the US?

Average base salary

The average salary for a assistant professor is $76,632 per year in the United States. 5k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated December 22, 2025).

How many hours do assistant professors work?

I am TT assistant professor and I would say I average around 50-55 hours per week. I teach classes that go late into the night on some days but have to get here early in the morning to get a reasonable parking spot so that I am walking not across the entire campus late at night.

What type of professor gets paid the most?

The highest-paying professor jobs are typically in Law, Medicine, and STEM fields like Engineering and Computer Science, often at prestigious private or major research universities, with top administrators (Presidents, Chancellors, Deans) earning even more, though salaries vary greatly by institution, location, and specialization. Key high-earning roles include Law Professors, Health Specialties Teachers, Economics Professors, and Engineering Faculty, while executive roles like University President or Vice Chancellor command the highest salaries overall in higher education. 

How much can you make as a professor with a PhD?

How much does a Phd Professor make? As of Jan 12, 2026, the average annual pay for a Phd Professor in the United States is $114,792 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $55.19 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,207/week or $9,566/month.

Do professors get summers off?

In fact, I have even heard the comment that faculty like me are paid to have summers off. Those assumptions are false and harmful. Faculty members work most of the summer, and in my experience, that workload has increased over the past 20 years.

Which PhD has the highest salary?

The highest-paying doctorate degrees are often in STEM and applied fields like Computer Science, Engineering (Electrical, Chemical, Biomedical), Physics, Economics, and Pharmacy, with high earners often exceeding $150,000-$200,000, especially in mid-career roles, driven by demand in tech, healthcare, and research. Professional doctorates like the Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Juris Doctor (JD)https://www.edumindslearning.com/blog/highest-paying-doctoral-degrees (MD/JD) also offer exceptional earning potential in specialized medicine and law.