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Associate Professor Jobs in Springfield, MA (NOW HIRING)

Associate or Full Professor of Classics (with tenure) The expected salary range for this job opportunity is $105,000 to $135,000 at the associate professor rank and $120,000 to $200,000 at the full ...

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Associate Professor information

See Springfield, MA salary details

$43.3K

$102.1K

$142K

How much do associate professor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate professor in Springfield, MA is $102,073.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,700.00 and $125,600.00 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 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.

Do you need a PhD to be an associate professor?

Yes, most academic institutions require an associate professor to hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree. This qualification demonstrates expertise in the field and is typically necessary for tenure-track faculty positions at universities. Additional requirements may include teaching experience, research publications, and service contributions.
What are the most commonly searched types of Professor jobs in Springfield, MA? The most popular types of Professor jobs in Springfield, MA are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Professor jobs in Springfield, MA? For Associate Professor jobs in Springfield, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Professor jobs in Springfield, MA look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Professor jobs in Springfield, MA are:
What cities near Springfield, MA are hiring for Associate Professor jobs? Cities near Springfield, MA with the most Associate Professor job openings:
Infographic showing various Associate Professor job openings in Springfield, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,073 per year, or $49.1 per hour.

Advanced Assistant/Associate Professor of German

Smith College

Northampton, MA • On-site

$92K - $96K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Smith College rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

141st of 617 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Description
The Department of German and Italian at Smith College invites applications for a tenure-track position in German at the rank of Advanced Assistant or Associate Professor, beginning July 1, 2027. Specialization is open. Ph.D. in hand required.
We seek a colleague with a strong research and teaching record. The successful candidate will teach four courses per year at all levels of the curriculum, in German and in English, as well as actively contribute to department life and curricular development. We welcome applications from scholars whose work brings a variety of transnational, interdisciplinary, and diverse perspectives to the field. Candidates from groups underrepresented in German Studies are strongly encouraged to apply.
In addition to a competitive benefits package, pay for newly-hired assistant professors with a terminal degree beginning the first year of the tenure clock in Fall 2027 is typically between $92,000-96,000. Salary decisions are dependent on several factors, including but not limited to teaching and work experience beyond the terminal degree, as well as market, disciplinary, and internal peer equity factors.
Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is the largest women's college in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. Smith College offers opportunities to foster faculty success at every career stage, such as those listed here. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges. Details about German Studies at Smith may be found at http://www.smith.edu/academics/german.
As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.
Application Instructions
Submit application at https://apply.interfolio.com/190754 with a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a writing sample not exceeding 20 pages, teaching statement, an equity and inclusion statement, the full contact information for (3) confidential references, and statement of research interests. Candidates should submit these materials by September 14, 2026.

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