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Job Roles

Explore Job Roles: Professors

Learn about the average salary, relevant studies, related questions, and common path after college to becoming a Professor.

What is a Professor?

Professors are college and university instructors who have a doctoral degree in their subject specialty.

Where does a Professor work?

  • Public colleges
  • Private colleges
  • Community colleges
  • Vocational schools

How much does a Professor make?

Based on real new grad salaries reported through Handshake, the median annual salary for a Professor is $72,000.

What majors are typically interested in becoming Professors?

One’s major doesn’t necessarily determine their career, but these are some common majors of those who end up pursuing this career path.

  • Education majors
  • Philosophy majors
  • History majors
  • English majors

Professor skills and competencies:

On top of a relevant degree and formal training, here are some professional skills that can help aspiring Professors succeed in their work:

  • Organizational skills
  • Ability to create and execute lesson plans
  • Mastery over your topic at hand

What are some common questions about Professors?

Q: Is it possible to be called a Professor without a PhD?

A: No.

Check out the top 10 entry level jobs for higher ed majors.

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