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How much do creative writing professor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative writing professor in the United States is $80,057.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $91,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Creative Writing Professors?

Creative Writing Professors are educators who teach courses on creative writing, including fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and other literary forms, at colleges or universities. They help students develop their writing skills, provide feedback on creative work, and often advise on publication opportunities. Creative Writing Professors may also conduct their own research or publish their creative works, contributing to the literary community. Their role involves both teaching and mentoring students as well as participating in academic and creative activities within their institution.

What are some common challenges Creative Writing Professors face in fostering student engagement and creativity?

Creative Writing Professors often encounter the challenge of encouraging students to take creative risks while also providing constructive feedback that nurtures their confidence. Balancing the diverse skill levels and backgrounds of students can require flexible teaching approaches and tailored assignments. Additionally, professors must create an inclusive, respectful environment that supports open sharing and critique, which is essential for students' growth as writers. Collaborating with colleagues on interdisciplinary projects or literary events can also help foster a dynamic learning atmosphere.

What Does a Creative Writing Professor Do?

As a creative writing professor, you teach college students how to write creative prose and poetry. The university for whom you teach may also require you to write articles, content, or stories for academic or literary publications. Your duties as a professor include creating a syllabus for each course and helping students develop their writing skills. You may advise students on the structure of a story or poem and offer commentary on a draft of their work. You might teach a general creative writing course or offer classes on specific topics, such as short fiction, creative nonfiction, or novels.

What is the difference between Creative Writing Professor vs Writing Instructor?

AspectCreative Writing ProfessorWriting Instructor
Required CredentialsMaster's or PhD in Creative Writing, English, or related fieldVaries; often bachelor's degree, teaching certification, or specialized training
Work EnvironmentUniversities, colleges, academic settingsCommunity colleges, adult education, workshops, online platforms
Employer & Industry UsageHigher education institutions, universitiesEducational institutions, community programs, online education
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding academic roles, qualifications, and career pathsLearning to teach writing, certification, or part-time teaching

While both roles involve teaching writing skills, a Creative Writing Professor typically works in higher education with advanced degrees and focuses on academic research and curriculum development. A Writing Instructor may work in various educational settings, often with different certification requirements, and may focus more on teaching practical writing skills in community or online environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Creative Writing Professor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Creative Writing Professor, you need an advanced degree in creative writing or a related field, a strong portfolio of published works, and experience in teaching or mentoring writers. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), workshop facilitation tools, and contemporary literary platforms is typically required. Outstanding communication, constructive feedback, and the ability to inspire creativity are essential soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities foster an engaging learning environment that supports student growth, critical thinking, and creative expression.
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Creative Writing Professor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Writing Professor job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,057 per year, or $38.5 per hour.
Assistant Professor of Creative Writing

Assistant Professor of Creative Writing

University of Michigan-Dearborn

Dearborn, MI • On-site

Full-time

Posted yesterday

Job description

Description
The English Discipline in the Department of Language, Culture, and the Arts, and the African and African American Studies program in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters (CASL) invite applications from well-qualified candidates for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Creative Writing, genre fiction, and 20-21st Century African American literature and/or literature of the African diaspora. Candidates should possess Ph.D. and/or M.F.A. in hand by August 2025. The preferred starting date is September 2025.
The position will be housed and promoted within the English Discipline (part of the Language, Culture and the Arts Department) with a portion of the appointment in the African and African American Studies Program (AAAS).The English faculty at the University of Michigan-Dearborn are innovative educators and active scholars who believe that words have power and that it is important to understand the dynamic intersection of language, literature, and society, as well as the identities and communities shaped by this intersection. African and African American studies is an interdisciplinary program focused on the study of the history and cultural legacies of Africans and African Americans, the intellectual contributions of major African and African American scholars and cultural workers, and the crucial issues confronting African and African American communities throughout the world. AAAS faculty are committed to interdisciplinary teaching and scholarship and are engaged leaders in addressing critical social issues facing the Metropolitan Detroit community or communities in the wider African diaspora.
Teaching responsibilities (2/2 load) include online and in-person courses in Creative Writing and Advanced Exposition, 20th-21st Century African American literature or literature of the African diaspora, and introductory literature courses, for a diverse student population. The candidate will develop new courses in African American literature or literature of the African diaspora and Creative Writing. In addition, the candidate will contribute to English's new Fiction Writing certificate by teaching and developing genre/popular fiction courses. The candidate will also contribute to the African and African American Studies (AAAS) program in an area related to the African diaspora. Service expectations will be shared in the disciplines of English and in AAAS, with additional service expectations at the department, college, and campus levels. The candidate will actively pursue a robust scholarly and creative writing publication agenda.
Qualifications
Ph.D. in English, African and African American Studies, American Studies or related field and/or M.F.A. in creative writing or related field in hand by August 2025.
Application Instructions
Please submit a cover letter, current version of curriculum vita, teaching statement, research statement, DEI Statement, and three professional references.
The review of applications will begin on November 15, 2024 but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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