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Associate Professor Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

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Associate Professor information

See Michigan salary details

$37.9K

$89.3K

$124.2K

How much do associate professor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate professor in Michigan is $89,278.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,900.00 and $109,800.00 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.
What are the most commonly searched types of Professor jobs in Michigan? The most popular types of Professor jobs in Michigan are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Professor jobs in Michigan? For Associate Professor jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Associate Professor jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Associate Professor job openings:
Infographic showing various Associate Professor job openings in Michigan as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 4% Full Time, 88% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,278 per year, or $42.9 per hour.
Assistant or Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering Technology

Assistant or Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering Technology

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • On-site

$80K - $84K/yr

Temporary

Medical, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


Ferris State University rating

5.7

Company rating: 5.7 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

508th of 544 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Assistant or Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering Technology
Job no: 497189
Work type: Faculty - Temporary & Continuing
Location: Big Rapids, MI 49307
Categories: Faculty
Position Title: Assistant or Associate Professor - Mechanical Engineering Technology
Location: Big Rapids (Main Campus)
Department:
38330 - Mechanical
Advertised Salary: $80,000 - $84,999 Assistant Professor; $85,000 - $90,000 Associate Professor. Salary commensurate with qualifications pursuant to the FFA Agreement.
Benefits:
Comprehensive benefit package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.
Faculty Health Benefit Plans
FLSA: Exempt
Temporary/Continuing: Continuing
Part-Time/Full-Time: Full-Time
Union Group: Ferris Faculty Association (MEA-NEA)
Term of Position: 9 Month
At Will/Just Cause: Just Cause
Summary of Position: The Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) program, part of the School of Engineering and Computing Technologies (SECT), invites applications for a 9-month, tenured-track faculty position at the Assistant or Associate Professor level. Primary responsibilities include preparing and delivering courses, utilizing effective methods that ensure that all course outcomes are met. Tenure at a previous institution is required to be hired at the rank of Associate Professor.
Courses are primarily delivered face-to-face in the classroom/lab at the main campus in Big Rapids, although online delivery may be required for some courses. Additional responsibilities generally include advising students, internship coordination, recruiting students, developing industry relationships, developing curriculum, and serving on various committees within the university. Teaching at regional satellite campuses may also be required. Working with student organizations is highly encouraged. Faculty in MET are expected to teach a variety of courses across the curriculum, teaching both lower and upper undergraduate division courses in an ETAC/ABET accredited Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) program.
Courses are to be taught in person on one of Ferris State University's Campuses. The candidate(s) selected for the position must reside in Michigan after acceptance of employment and will perform duties at a Ferris site.
The anticipated start date of this position is August of 2025. However, this is an estimated date and can be revised if needed.
Position Type: Faculty - Temporary & Continuing
Required Education: Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or related engineering field OR
Master's degree in any discipline and a Professional Engineers License plus a BS in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology or related engineering field.
Required Work Experience: Five years full-time, continuous related industrial work experience.
Minimum five years teaching experience to include an award of tenure for rank of Associate Professor.
Working knowledge and demonstrated experience with mechanical systems and methods.
Required Licenses and Certifications:
Physical Demands:
  • Office Environment
  • Bending
  • Carrying
  • Electrical Hazards
  • Reaching
  • Sitting
  • Twisting
  • Lifting
  • Standing

Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered: Interest and ability to teach hands-on labs, such as fluid mechanics, fluid power, statics & strength of materials, machine design, mechanical measurements, Python programming, FEA and CAD simulation, data acquisition with LabVIEW, senior capstone design
Related teaching experience
Professional engineering license
Ability to promote a program
Industrial experience with mechatronics (electro-mechanical) systems, robotics, automation and controls
Essential Duties/Responsibilities: Delivering courses in both a classroom and an online format.
Preparing and delivering courses utilizing effective methods that ensure that all course outcomes are met.
Internship coordination, recruiting students, developing industry relationships, developing curriculum, and working with student organizations.
Faculty members also have professional responsibilities which may include advising students, orientation and registration of students, participation in University committees, keeping regular posted office hours (which are scheduled at times convenient for students), and participation in traditional functions which have academic significance (ex. reporting initial student participation data and submitting final grades on time).
Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty and staff to thrive authentically.
Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
Any other duties assigned within the position classification area.
Marginal Duties/Responsibilities:
Skills and Abilities: Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Ability to develop on-line teaching.
Ability to work as a member of a team.
Technically competent in the use of instrumentation, computers, and software appropriate to the discipline.
Required Documents:
  • Cover Letter
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Unofficial Transcript 1

Optional Documents: Professional Engineers License
Special Instructions to Applicants: Unofficial Transcript 1 (REQUIRED): Applicants must attach a copy of an unofficial transcript of a Master's Degree as described in the Required Education section. Transcript must include Institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded. Finalist will be required to submit an official transcript.
Initial Application Review Date:
August 8, 2025
Open Until Position is Filled?: Yes
Posting Close Date:
EEO Statement: Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University's Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement.
Click here to learn more about working at FSU and KCAD.
Advertised: 25 Jul 2025 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:
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