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Associate Professor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Howard

Assistant/Associate Professor

Seeley, CA

We are seeking to hire an Assistant/Associate Professor. The Department of Pediatrics and Child Health in the College of Medicine at Howard University invites applications for a tenure-line ...

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All JobsAssociate Professor JobsAssociate Professor Jobs in California

Associate Professor information

See California salary details

$42.9K

$101.1K

$140.6K

How much do associate professor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate professor in California is $101,090.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,000.00 and $124,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Associate Professors when balancing research, teaching, and service responsibilities?

Associate Professors often juggle multiple responsibilities, including conducting research, teaching courses, mentoring students, and participating in departmental or university service. Balancing these can be challenging, especially when research expectations remain high while teaching loads and committee work increase after promotion. Successful Associate Professors typically develop strong time-management skills, collaborate with colleagues to share best practices, and seek mentorship or support from their academic community. Proactive planning and clear communication with department leadership can also help manage these competing demands.

What is the difference between Associate Professor vs Assistant Professor?

AspectAssociate ProfessorAssistant Professor
Required CredentialsDoctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent), significant research and teaching experienceDoctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent), typically early in academic career
Work EnvironmentUniversity faculty, involved in teaching, research, and serviceUniversity faculty, primarily focused on teaching and beginning research
Employer & Industry UsageHigher education institutions, research universitiesHigher education institutions, research universities

In summary, an Associate Professor is a more senior academic role with extensive research and teaching experience, while an Assistant Professor is an entry-level faculty position focused on developing research and teaching skills.

What is the job of an associate professor?

An associate professor is a faculty member at a college or university who has typically achieved tenure and has responsibilities that include teaching courses, conducting research, publishing scholarly work, and participating in departmental and institutional service. They often supervise students and may take on administrative roles within their department.

How to get a job as an associate professor?

To become an associate professor, candidates typically need a doctoral degree in their field, a strong record of research and publications, and teaching experience. The process involves applying for open positions, undergoing interviews, and often achieving tenure or a similar permanent appointment within an academic institution.

What are Associate Professors?

Associate Professors are mid-level faculty members at colleges and universities who have typically earned tenure and demonstrated significant achievements in teaching, research, and service. They rank above Assistant Professors but below full Professors. Associate Professors are responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, conducting research, publishing scholarly work, and contributing to their academic department and institution. Promotion to this rank usually requires several years of experience and a proven record of academic excellence.

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

To thrive as an Associate Professor, you need advanced subject matter expertise, a doctoral degree in your field, and a record of research and scholarly publication. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), academic databases, and research software is typically required. Strong communication, mentorship, and organizational skills help foster student engagement and productive collegial relationships. These competencies are essential for effective teaching, impactful research, and meaningful contributions to academic communities.

What Is an Associate Professor?

An associate professor teaches at a college or university campus and ranks below a full professor. As an associate professor, you still perform the primary job duties of a full professor, such as interacting with students, grading classroom assignments, assisting students with study techniques, and developing lesson plans. You may also spend part of your career working on research projects and writing articles for academic journals.

What is the lowest rank of a professor?

The lowest academic rank of a professor is typically Assistant Professor. This is an entry-level faculty position requiring a doctoral degree and often involves teaching, research, and service responsibilities before promotion to higher ranks like Associate Professor and Full Professor.

What is the salary of an associate professor in the US?

The average salary of an associate professor in the US typically ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on the institution, location, and field of expertise. Factors such as experience, research output, and additional responsibilities can influence compensation.
More about Associate Professor jobs
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Associate Professor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Professor job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,090 per year, or $48.6 per hour.
Department of Physics - Assistant/Associate Professor, Tenure Track

Department of Physics - Assistant/Associate Professor, Tenure Track

La Sierra University

Riverside, CA • On-site

$68K - $69K/yr

Full-time

Medical

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description


The Department of Physics invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position to begin on July 1, 2026 at assistant professor or associate professor rank. Applicants must meet the University's requirements for faculty rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, including a terminal degree earned in the field, and demonstrate a clear potential for excellence in teaching and research. Candidates near the completion of a terminal degree will also be considered.
The successful applicant will be responsible for teaching about 2-3 lecture courses and 1-2 lab courses per quarter, conducting original research, advising, and serving on various committees on campus. Candidates with expertise in any area of physics or biophysics are encouraged to apply, with preference given to those who can teach upper division biophysics courses.
While full-faculty are paid throughout the 12 months of the year, the appointment is for the 9-months academic year. Initially, the primary responsibilities will be focused on teaching lower division service courses with their associated labs. It is expected that over time the teaching load will adjust to include upper division physics or biophysics courses, as needed. Other responsibilities will be to conduct original research while involving undergraduate students and participating in committee service as part of the shared governance model of La Sierra University.
The successful candidate will 1) effectively teach a variety of physics and biophysics courses to a diverse student body, promoting both accessibility and high achievement, 2) successfully interact with students in a lab setting and in office hours, 3) supervise student lab assistants, 4) involve students in research while teaching them skills to be successful independent and creative thinkers who can contribute to the scientific community, and 5) regularly attend departmental faculty meetings, school meetings, and school/university committees. This position does not require applying for external grants for funding research, but it is encouraged.
Qualifications
Candidates are required to have a PhD in physics, biophysics, or a related field. Significant teaching experience at the undergraduate level is desired, including both lower division service courses and upper division major courses. Post-doctoral experience with a track record of sustainable original research is preferred. To be considered for the rank of associate professor, a candidate must have a teaching and research record lasting at least five years, including at least two publications as primary author. Preference will be given to candidates who are Seventh-day Adventist.
Salary Wage Range: $68,640.00 to $77,724.00
Assistant professor - PhD $68,640 - $69,360
Associate professor - PhD $70,957 - $77,724
Benefits include:
  • Comprehensive health coverage
  • Tuition Assistance (spouse and dependent eligibility)
  • FSA, Pet Insurance, Legal Services, Identity Protections Services, and more!

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