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Associate Professor Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

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Associate Professor information

See Colorado salary details

$45.7K

$107.7K

$149.8K

How much do associate professor jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate professor in Colorado is $107,708.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,100.00 and $132,500.00 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 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 qualifications do you need to be 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 relevant teaching experience. Additional requirements may include service to the academic community and professional development, depending on the institution.

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 entry-level position usually requires a doctoral degree and involves teaching, research, and service responsibilities before promotion to higher ranks such as 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. Salaries may also vary based on experience, research output, and additional responsibilities such as administrative roles.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

Some high-paying roles for associate professors or similar academic professionals can reach or exceed $2,000 per day, especially with consulting, speaking engagements, or administrative leadership. Typically, these roles require advanced degrees, research expertise, and a strong reputation in their field, often supplemented by additional income sources outside standard teaching duties.
What are the most commonly searched types of Professor jobs in Colorado? The most popular types of Professor jobs in Colorado are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Professor jobs in Colorado? For Associate Professor jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Associate Professor jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Associate Professor job openings:
Infographic showing various Associate Professor job openings in Colorado as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 5% Full Time, 87% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,708 per year, or $51.8 per hour.
Physician - Open Rank Instructor, Sr. Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor

Physician - Open Rank Instructor, Sr. Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor

University of Colorado

Aurora, CO • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Provide inpatient clinical care.

  • Teach students, including Advanced Practice Fellows.

  • Complete administrative obligations.


University Of Colorado Boulder rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 38 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

156th of 541 rated colleges and universities


Job description

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Department: 21715 - Medicine/Division of Hospital Medicine
Job Title: Physician - Open Rank Instructor, Sr. Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor
Position #00840863 - Requisition #37947
Job Summary:
The Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus seeks academic hospitalists at the Instructor, Assistant Professor and Associate Professor levels to join our vibrant hospitalist group practicing, and teaching Hospital Medicine.
Outstanding opportunity to combine clinical medicine and teaching of students, residents, and fellows. The position includes time on traditional resident teaching services, helping residents develop skills in POCUS as well as with learners in our innovative Hospitalist Training Program and Advance Practice Fellowship (for Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistants). Hospitalists are full-time faculty and are offered the opportunity for academic promotion, judged on criteria of demonstrated excellence as clinicians, educators, and scholars. Administrative responsibilities allow for development as a leader within the hospitalist program, the Department of Medicine, the Internal Medicine Residency Training Program, the School of Medicine, and University of Colorado Health. Scholarly activities are encouraged and opportunities to publish and be involved in research abound.
Key Responsibilities:
• providing inpatient clinical care
• teaching students, including Advanced Practice Fellow
• completing administrative obligation
Work Location:
Onsite - this role is expected to work onsite and is in Aurora, Colorado
Why Join Us:
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a public education, clinical and research facility and a world-class medical destination at the forefront of life-changing science, medicine, and healthcare. We are the single largest health professions education provider in Colorado. Powered by our award-winning faculty, renowned researchers and a reputation for academic excellence, the CU Anschutz Medical Campus drives innovation from the classroom to the laboratory to the delivery of unparalleled patient care. Read CU Anschutz Quick Facts here
Why work for the University?
We have AMAZING benefits and offerexceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:
  • Medical: Multiple plan options
  • Dental: Multiple plan options
  • Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
  • Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
  • Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
  • Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
  • Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
  • Holiday Days: 10/year
  • Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
  • ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
This is an open rank position and could be categorized as Instructor, Senior Instructor, Assistant Professor, or Associate Professor based on experience and qualifications as indicated below:
Instructor:
  • MD or DO

Sr. Instructor:
  • MD or DO
  • Completion of a fellowship or Chief Medical Residency

Assistant Professor:
  • MD or DO
  • Minimum 1 year of professional clinical experience

Associate Professor:
  • MD or DO
  • Minimum 5-7 years of professional clinical experience

How to Apply:
For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):
1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position
2. Curriculum vitae / Resume
3. Five professional references including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email addre
Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers.
Questions should be directed to: Lauren Sutherland, Lauren.Sutherland@cuanschutz.edu
Screening of Applications Begins:
This position may be seeking multiple candidates. Positions will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and candidates may be contacted for interviews throughout the posting period. Upon candidate(s) selection, the posting will be closed, and no further applications will be accepted.
Anticipated Pay Range:
The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE:
Instructor: $ 216,946
Sr. Instructor: $ 219,118
Assistant Professor: $ 220,000-240,000
Associate Professor: $ 245,000-260,000
The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation unless it is non-exempt.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
The University of Colorado (CU) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
ADA Statement:
The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@ucdenver.edu.
Background Check Statement:
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.
Vaccination Statement:
CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.

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