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How much do adjunct professor jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for adjunct professor in Chicago, IL is $69.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68.85 and $72.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does an Adjunct Professor Do?

An adjunct professor works for a college or university, teaching students about a particular subject. As an adjunct professor, you are a part-time instructor in your subject area. You may choose to work for multiple colleges or pursue a full-time career in your field to supplement your income or to gain more experience. Your job duties include developing curriculum, preparing lesson plans, teaching students in a classroom or online, evaluating student work, and posting grades. You may also assist with research in your chosen field, collaborating with full-time professors and research assistants. After working as an adjunct professor for several years, you may seek a full-time, tenure-track position.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Adjunct Professor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Adjunct Professor, you generally need subject-matter expertise, a relevant advanced degree (often a master's or doctorate), and prior teaching experience. Familiarity with learning management systems (such as Blackboard or Canvas), classroom technology, and assessment tools is typically required. Exceptional communication, adaptability, and organizational skills help adjuncts engage diverse students and manage multiple responsibilities. These skills are crucial for delivering effective instruction, supporting student success, and balancing the demands of part-time academic work.

How do adjunct professors typically balance teaching responsibilities with other professional commitments?

Adjunct professors often balance their teaching duties with other jobs, research projects, or professional pursuits, as they are usually hired on a part-time, per-course basis. This flexibility allows them to gain valuable teaching experience while maintaining careers outside academia, but it can also pose challenges in managing time and meeting the expectations of both roles. Effective communication with department staff, careful scheduling, and strong organizational skills are essential for success. Many adjuncts find that building relationships with full-time faculty and participating in departmental meetings helps them stay informed and integrated into the academic community.

What is an adjunct professor?

An adjunct professor is a part-time instructor at a college or university who is not on the tenure track. They are usually hired on a contractual basis to teach specific courses, often bringing real-world experience from their primary careers. Adjunct professors typically have less job security and fewer benefits than full-time faculty, but their flexible roles allow institutions to offer a wider variety of classes. Many adjuncts also engage in research or professional work outside of teaching.

Is it worth it to become an adjunct professor?

Becoming an adjunct professor offers flexible teaching opportunities and the chance to share expertise, but it often comes with lower pay, limited benefits, and job security compared to full-time faculty roles. Many adjuncts supplement income through other employment or develop specialized skills to enhance their marketability. Evaluating personal career goals and financial needs is important when considering this position.

What is the difference between Adjunct Professor vs Part-Time Lecturer?

AspectAdjunct ProfessorPart-Time Lecturer
CredentialsMaster's or Doctorate in relevant fieldMaster's or Doctorate, depending on institution
Work EnvironmentColleges and universities, primarily in academic settingsColleges, universities, or training programs, often in classroom settings
Employer & Industry UsageHigher education institutions, used interchangeably with Part-Time Lecturer in some regionsHigher education institutions, often synonymous with Adjunct Professor in practice

Both Adjunct Professors and Part-Time Lecturers typically hold advanced degrees and teach on a part-time basis at colleges or universities. While the titles are often used interchangeably, 'Adjunct Professor' may carry a slightly more formal academic connotation, whereas 'Part-Time Lecturer' emphasizes the teaching role without the professorial title. Both roles are essential for supporting higher education instruction without full-time commitments.

More about Adjunct Professor jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Adjunct Professor jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Adjunct Professor jobs in Chicago, IL are:
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What job categories do people searching Adjunct Professor jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Adjunct Professor jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Adjunct Professor jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Adjunct Professor job openings:
Adjunct Professor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Adjunct Professor job openings in Chicago, IL as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 59% Full Time, 36% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $144,761 per year, or $69.6 per hour.
Adjunct Professor - MS in Applied Data Science (Open-Rank)

Adjunct Professor - MS in Applied Data Science (Open-Rank)

The University of Chicago

Chicago, IL • On-site

Part-time

Posted 12 days ago

University Of Chicago rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

106th of 528 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Description
The Data Science Institute in the Physical Sciences Division at the University of Chicago invites applications for the position of Adjunct Professor (open rank) for the 2026-2027 academic year to teach at least one foundational, core, or elective course for the MS in Applied Data Science program. For a detailed list of courses and course descriptions, visit https://datascience.uchicago.edu/education/masters-programs/ms-in-applied-data-science/.
The search is open with respect to areas of specialization, but we encourage applications from practitioners and educators in Statistical Models, Time Series, Big Data and Cloud Computing, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, Human Computer Interaction, Quantum Computing, Swarm Intelligence, Advanced Computer Visualization, Natural Language Processing, and Bayesian Inference.
Selected candidates will be appointed as Adjunct Assistant Professor, Adjunct Associate Professor, or Adjunct Professor, depending on qualifications. Adjunct faculty are appointed to a minimum one-year appointment, with possibility of renewal up to a five year term, and are typically expected to teach at least one course per academic year.
This position is part-time and not benefits eligible. Compensation is paid on a per-course basis in the teaching quarter(s). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States.
Pay Range
Adjuncts are paid on a per-course basis. The per-course payment range by rank is as follows:
Adjunct Assistant Professor: $9,000-$26,000
Adjunct Associate Professor: $10,000-$29,000
Adjunct Professor: $11,000-$32,000
There may be options for additional compensated work, and detailed information regarding compensation is available here.
Qualifications
Minimum qualifications:
  • A Master's Degree in Data Science, Applied Math, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or other closely related field is required.
  • Five years of professional experience in Data Science, Applied Math, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or other closely related field is required.

Preferred qualifications:
  • A PhD in Data Science, Applied Math, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or other closely related field.
  • Teaching experience either within a university (such as Adjunct, Lecturer or Instructional Professor) or corporate training environment for professional education.
  • 6 years of professional experience.
  • Experience teaching for an online program.

Application Instructions
To apply for this position, candidates must submit their application through the University of Chicago Jobs website: https://apply.interfolio.com/177829, and upload the following:
  • CV;
  • Cover letter; must list the courses you are most qualified to teach;
  • A list of three references, include name, title, employer/school, and email address;
  • Sample syllabus for a class you have taught before, or would be interested in teaching;
  • Teaching statement;

Optional materials: teaching evaluations from past teaching at the university level.
Review of applications will begin on December 18, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.

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