Which is better, professor or assistant professor?

"Better" depends on your goal: a Full Professor has higher rank, more experience, greater job security (tenure), higher salary, and leadership roles, while an Assistant Professor is an early-career, often non-tenured role focused on establishing research, but might offer more fresh perspective in teaching some concepts. Full professors are senior leaders; assistant professors are junior faculty working towards tenure.

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.
 

Does an assistant professor count as a professor?

In the US, anyone teaching a university class can be called “professor” (even if they don't have a PhD). So it would be fine when talking to students to refer to “Professor X,” irrespective of X's rank.

Is an assistant professor entry-level?

Assistant professors are entry-level instructors in postsecondary institutions. They teach classes, often to lower-level students; grade assignments; maintain office hours; and advise students. They also focus on continuous learning, remaining current in their fields and publishing their work or research.

Do assistant professors teach classes?

Assistant Professors Overview & Description

Teach undergraduate and graduate level courses in their specialized field of study. Include both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of both teaching and research.

Assistant Professor vs Associate Professor vs Full Professor

How much is the salary of an assistant professor?

An Assistant Professor's salary varies widely but typically falls between $50,000 to over $100,000 annually, averaging around $77,000-$80,000 in the US as of early 2026, with significant differences based on discipline (e.g., STEM/Business pays more), university prestige (R1 universities pay more), and location. For example, starting salaries at top universities in high-demand fields like Economics can exceed $100k-$150k, while some entry-level roles might start in the $50k-$60k range. 

What are the three levels of professors?

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.

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.

What is the minimum qualification to become an assistant professor?

Assistant Professor Qualification

• Doctoral Degree (Ph. D. or Equivalent): In most disciplines, a Ph. ...
• Master's Degree (Often a Prerequisite): While the doctorate is usually the minimum for the position itself, a Master's degree is often a prerequisite for admission into a Ph. D.

How do I address an assistant professor?

professor, assistant professor, adjunct professor, etc.) may be addressed orally as 'Professor' or Professor '(Name)' – especially in the classroom.

Who is the youngest professor?

Alia Sabur. Iranian-American (born February 22, 1989 in New York City, New York) is currently the world's youngest professor.

Are assistant professors called doctors?

Should you refer to them as “Professor”, “Doctor” or something else? These tips should help you avoid any gaffes. address them as “Professor Last Name.” This includes assistant, associate, clinical, and research professors, as well as full professors.

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).

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.

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. 

At what age do professors retire?

Until 1982, colleges and universities could mandate the retirement of faculty at age sixty-five, and, until 1994, they could mandate retirement at age seventy. Since 1994, however, federal legislation has prevented academic institutions from setting any mandatory retirement age.

How many hours does an assistant professor work?

Assistant professor work environment

Depending on the course schedules, they may teach day classes, night classes or a combination of both. Just like associate and full professors, assistant professors work full-time hours, sometimes up to 55 or 60 hours per week to meet specific standards or academic objectives.

What skills do professors need?

College Professors - Skills and Abilities

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand written information.
• Understand spoken information.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.

How much do 1st year professors make?

A first-year professor's salary varies greatly but often falls in the $60,000 to $90,000+ range for Assistant Professors, depending heavily on the institution (R1 research university vs. community college), field (STEM/Business vs. Humanities), location, and if it's a 9-month or 12-month contract. While some starting salaries at major universities can exceed $100k (especially in high-demand fields like medicine/engineering), many entry-level roles, particularly at smaller institutions, might be closer to the $50k-$70k mark, with some community college roles starting even lower.
 

Can you be a full professor without a PhD?

The PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, has long been the standard degree requirement for college professors. Many community colleges and other two-year schools may require only a master's degree, however. There are also certain areas of study where a PhD is not considered necessary, such as acting and music.

How many classes do assistant professors teach?

Assistant Professors teaching load is 3 courses/year. Adjunct Faculty teaching load is dependent on their appointment percentage.

What is a professor without a PhD called?

Professor is a correct title for someone teaching at a university, whether or not they have a doctorate. In US universities, there is a ranked system with full professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and instructors.

What comes after professor?

Among the common ranks are professor, associate professor (docent), assistant professor and lecturer/instructor.

Where do assistant professors teach?

An assistant professor is an entry-level university teaching position below that of associate professor and full professor. You can find work as an assistant professor in any department at a college or university.