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Assistant Professor Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Assistant Professor

Washington, DC · On-site

$110K - $115K/yr

Candidates for an assistant professor position must show potential for producing scholarship through peer-reviewed publications, exhibitions, or symposia with national or international recognition.

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Assistant Professor information

See Washington salary details

$48.1K

$90.7K

$152.9K

How much do assistant professor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant professor in Washington is $90,672.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,000.00 and $103,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as an Assistant Professor, you typically need a doctoral degree in your field, a strong publication record, and experience in teaching or research. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), academic databases, and research tools is often required, along with any relevant certifications for teaching or research ethics. Excellent communication, mentorship, and organizational skills help you engage students, collaborate with colleagues, and manage academic responsibilities. These skills are crucial for fostering student success, advancing research, and contributing meaningfully to the academic community.

What is the difference between Assistant Professor vs Lecturer?

AspectAssistant ProfessorLecturer
Required CredentialsDoctorate or equivalent in fieldBachelor's or Master's, sometimes doctorate
Work EnvironmentAcademic institutions, research, teachingPrimarily teaching, less research
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, collegesUniversities, colleges, vocational schools
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Assistant Professors typically hold a doctorate and engage in both teaching and research at universities. Lecturers usually focus on teaching, often with less emphasis on research, and may have different credential requirements. While both roles are found in academic settings, Assistant Professors often have more responsibilities related to research and academic advancement.

What are some common challenges assistant professors face during their early years, and how can they address them?

Assistant Professors often juggle multiple responsibilities, including teaching, research, and service commitments. Balancing the demands of developing a strong research portfolio with effective teaching and departmental service can be challenging, especially when working toward tenure. Building a supportive network of mentors, setting clear priorities, and managing time efficiently are critical strategies for success. Many institutions also offer professional development programs and peer collaboration opportunities to help early-career faculty navigate these challenges.

What does an assistant professor do?

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. Assistant professorships fall into either tenure-track and non-tenure track positions. Regardless of whether you are tenure or non-tenure track, your duties are similar. You conduct research, teach classes, advise students on their studies, and perform numerous administrative functions, such as attending faculty meetings and professional conferences or events.

What qualifications do you need to be an assistant professor?

To become an assistant professor, candidates typically need a doctoral degree in their field, such as a Ph.D., along with relevant research experience and teaching skills. Strong publication records and the ability to secure research funding are also important qualifications. Additional requirements may include teaching certifications or experience depending on the institution.

What is an assistant professor?

An Assistant Professor is an entry-level faculty position at a college or university, typically responsible for teaching, conducting research, and participating in academic service. This role is usually tenure-track, meaning the professor may eventually qualify for tenure after a probationary period. Assistant Professors often mentor students, publish scholarly work, and contribute to their department's academic community. Their work helps advance both the institution's educational mission and their own academic careers.

What are the most commonly searched types of Professor jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Professor jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Assistant Professor jobs in Washington?

For Assistant Professor jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Assistant Professor jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Assistant Professor job openings:

Infographic showing various Assistant Professor job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,672 per year, or $43.6 per hour.

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Posted 16 days ago


George Mason University rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

126th of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Assistant Professor
  • 10004352
  • Fairfax, VA
  • Instructional Faculty
  • Opening on: Aug 7 2026
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Department: Costello College of Business

Classification: 9-month Instructional Faculty

Job Category: Instructional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Donald G. Costello College of Business at George Mason University is one of the largest business schools in Virginia, and is located near Washington, D.C., in Arlington and Fairfax, and at George Mason's global campus in Incheon, South Korea. The college's AACSB-accredited business and accounting curricula prepare undergraduate and graduate students from the U.S. and across the globe for career success in business and government. Its research-based faculty and focus on multi-disciplinary academic programs, inclusive entrepreneurship, modular education, experiential learning, and corporate partner engagement are transforming the landscape of business education and workforce development.Learn more atbusiness.gmu.edu.
Accounting is one of the six areas of the Costello College of Business. The Accounting Area has diverse research and teaching interests. We offer a vibrant, ambitious, and collegial research and teaching community. Research is highly valued in the area and at the school. At present, there are 18 full-time faculty members in the area. The Accounting Area faculty have published in many of the premier accounting journals including The Accounting Review, Journal of Accounting Research, Journal of Accounting and Economics, Contemporary Accounting Research, and Review of Accounting Studies, as well as other top journals.

About the Position:

The Assistant Professor, Accounting teaches courses in undergraduate and graduate programs. Conducts high quality research, teaches effectively, and positively contributes to the academic environment. The Assistant Professor of Accounting provides service to the Accounting Area, the Costello College of Business, the University, the profession, and interfaces with the business community. This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Summer funding is available contingent on availability of funds.
As the Costello College of Business, we value faculty whose scholarship represents a consistent pipeline of research that:
Addresses significant problems affecting business and society; such research should have the potential for meaningful impact in terms of organizational design, firm and regulatory policy, and/or the behaviors of economic agents (e.g., consumers, employees); demonstrates the highest levels of methodological rigor, leveraging innovative qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze generalizable data representing real-world contexts and problems; is targeted for, and published in, the highest quality journals; consists of clear theoretical, contextual, or methodological themes that demonstrate the identity of the faculty member as a thought leader in their field, and showcases the unique contributions of that faculty member.
Candidates should demonstrate an established or emerging record of teaching effectiveness, including a commitment to course design, supporting and engaging students, and continued faculty growth as regards pedagogy. Candidates should also demonstrate consistent and clear evidence of collegiality and collaboration and be willing to contribute to various areas of service at Costello.

The Accounting area of the Costello College of Business at George Mason University has opportunities for two Tenure-Line Assistant Professor of Accounting appointments to teach accounting courses starting Fall 2027. Both positions are full-time with benefits. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Responsibilities:

  • Conducts high-quality research for publication in top-tier academic journals;
  • Teaches accounting courses in undergraduate and/or graduate programs. The teaching load for this position is determined according to the college's workload policy;
  • Provides service to the Accounting Area, the Costello College of Business, the University, and the profession, such as journal reviewing/editing, academic community engagement, student mentoring, committee membership, and interfacing with the business community; and
  • Be invested as a team member in helping colleagues and the college further our collective goals.

Required Qualifications:

  • Earned a Ph.D. in Accounting or closely related field or be ABD with a documented expectation of degree completion before the start of Fall 2027;
  • Evidence of a strong research trajectory or the potential to publish in top-tier accounting academic journals;
  • Evidence of effective teaching or the potential to effectively teach in both face-to-face and online spaces at the undergraduate and graduate levels;
  • Ability to teach Intermediate Accounting and at least one of the following courses: Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation, Managerial Accounting, and Advanced Accounting; and
  • Collegiality and ability to work well with other faculty members.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experienced Assistant Professors; and
  • Evidence of published or "in press" research in top-tier accounting journals.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Assistant Professor at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Letter of Intent and CV (with a summary of teaching evaluations in recent years).

Posting Open Date: August 7, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: October 4, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes


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