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Associate Professor Jobs in Kearney, NE (NOW HIRING)

Associate Professor information

See Kearney, NE salary details

$37.7K

$88.7K

$123.4K

How much do associate professor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate professor in Kearney, NE is $88,685.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,400.00 and $109,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

Do you need a PhD to be an associate professor?

Typically, an associate professor position requires a doctoral degree, such as a PhD, along with significant research, teaching experience, and a strong publication record. While requirements can vary by institution and field, having a PhD is generally essential for this academic rank.

What are the most commonly searched types of Professor jobs in Kearney, NE?

The most popular types of Professor jobs in Kearney, NE are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Professor jobs in Kearney, NE?

For Associate Professor jobs in Kearney, NE, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Kearney, NE are hiring for Associate Professor jobs?

Cities near Kearney, NE with the most Associate Professor job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Professor job openings in Kearney, NE as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 31% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,685 per year, or $42.6 per hour.

Assistant/Associate Professor of Practice

University of Nebraska

Kearney, NE • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


University Of Nebraska rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 74 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

441st of 628 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Assistant/Associate Professor of Practice
Job Description
Job Summary:
This is a non-tenure-track faculty position that includes teaching courses within the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences and serving as a Clinical Education Coordinator in the CAATE-accredited Master of Athletic Training Program, providing guided clinical instruction.
The faculty teach undergraduate and graduate courses in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences, including guided clinical instruction in the CAATE-accredited Master of Athletic Training program, in-person and/or online lectures, labs, and graduate clinical courses. In addition, the faculty implement initiatives to enhance student success in our athletic training clinical courses and education, including standard patient-care practices and clinical practice simulations.
Required Qualifications:
  • Master's degree in athletic training or related field
  • BOC Certified Athletic Trainer
  • Ability to be licensed as an athletic trainer in the State of Nebraska
  • At least 5 years of clinical practice record in athletic training and sports medicine
  • Evidence of ability to implement student success initiatives (e.g., clinical preceptorship, creating clinical opportunities for students, enhancing learning or clinical teaching initiatives)

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Terminal degree in Athletic Training or a related content area OR advanced athletic training practice through a residency and/or fellowship
  • Record of specialized clinical credentials or certifications related to athletic training practice
  • Record of teaching applied/lab-based courses and managing hands-on instruction
  • Record of clinical education utilizing standard patient care practices and/or clinical practice simulations
  • Evidence of continuing education in current practice and regulations in athletic training
  • Record of quality professional engagements. Examples include the following, but are not limited to:
    • Publications, grant proposals, editorial/book/manuscript reviews, conference proceeding/presentations
    • Hosting or teaching workshops/trainings for other clinicians, administrators, parents, or patient populations
    • Creating professional development for coaches or medical providers, providing services such as medical care or screenings at community events or sports teams, involvement in research-driven projects

Information at a Glance

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About University of Nebraska

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Nebraska (UN), located in Lincoln, NE, US, is a leading public research university in the education sector. With its official website at nebraska.edu, the institution was established in 1869 as the first public university in Nebraska. Over the years, it has gained esteemed recognition for contributing to multiple fields, encompassing agriculture, arts, engineering, and more. It serves a wide range of students through its various programs and services, including undergraduate, graduate, online, and professional degree programs. The university's mission underpins the core values of learning, innovation, and engagement, aiming at enabling students to pursue knowledge and develop a skillset that facilitates lifelong success. Notably, the University of Nebraska holds a remarkable legacy of being ranked in the top third of all national universities, both public and private.

Industry

Education

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Lincoln, NE, US

Year founded

1892

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