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Creative Writing Professor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Creative Writing Professor information

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$41.9K

$79K

$133.2K

How much do creative writing professor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative writing professor in California is $79,008.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,200.00 and $90,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a creative writing professor?

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 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 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.

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 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 most commonly searched types of Creative Writing Professor jobs in California?

The most popular types of Creative Writing Professor jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching Creative Writing Professor jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Creative Writing Professor jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Creative Writing Professor jobs?

Cities in California with the most Creative Writing Professor job openings:

Infographic showing various Creative Writing Professor job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 53% Full Time, and 47% Part Time. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $79,008 per year, or $38 per hour.

Health Sciences Clinical Professor Series (Assistant, Associate, Professor Rank) - Neurosurgery

University of California - Irvine

Orange, CA • On-site

$450K - $700K/yr

Other

Re-posted 6 days ago


University Of California Irvine rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 41 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

55th of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Position overview
Salary range: The salary range for this position is from $450,000.00 - $700,000.00. The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See the Professorial Series (Adjunct, Clinical X, HS Clinical, In Residence, Ladder Rank) and Professor of Teaching Series - Health Sciences Compensation Plan. This position includes membership in the health science compensation plan, which provides for eligibility for additional compensation.
Application Window

Open date: July 10, 2026

Most recent review date: Monday, Aug 10, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Friday, Jul 9, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The University of California, Irvine, Department of Neurological Surgery is seeking a qualified candidate as a full-time faculty member in the non-tenure track Health Sciences Clinical Professor Series -Assistant, Associate, Full Professor rank. Salary will commensurate with experience and qualifications.

The ideal candidate will be expected to have an unrestricted medical license from the Medical Board of California by the start; graduated from an ACGME accredited residency training program in Neurological Surgery; be board certified/board eligible by the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS) by the start; have experience and fellowship training in skull base/neuro-oncology (post-residency or enfolded fellowship training).

Criteria for the Health Sciences Series Professor Series
Health Sciences Clinical Professor series faculty engage in scholarly or creative activity which derives from and support their primary responsibilities in clinical teaching and professional and service activities.

A link to full description of the series is provided for your review:

Health Sciences Clinical Professor Series

UCI Health - Irvine a new medical campus, is a full-service academic health complex that will bring a broad spectrum of the most advanced healthcare services with unparalleled expertise, leading-edge treatments, and the finest evidence-based care that only an academic health system can offer. The medical campus, which will complement the flagship UCI Health Orange, includes a seven-story, 144-bed general acute care hospital with a 24-hour emergency department. It also features the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care building and the Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care.

UCI Health - Orange is a 459-bed acute care hospital equipped with state-of-the-art operating rooms and is the region's only Level I trauma center and Level II pediatric trauma center. It is the primary teaching and training location for the UCI School of Medicine. For 21 consecutive years, the medical center has been rated among America's Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World.

UCI Health Community Network is comprised of four integrated hospitals and associated ambulatory sites: UCI Health - Fountain Valley, UCI Health - Lakewood (now a comprehensive stroke center), UCI Health - Los Alamitos, and UCI Health - Placentia Linda. The community network expands access to specialized services and strengthens care coordination across the region.

The University of California remains fully committed to inclusive excellence and encourages applicants to address how their skills, expertise, and experiences might serve the varied communities of California. Please feel free to include information in any of your application materials relevant to your inclusive excellence work in research, teaching, and service.

Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
  • Applicants must hold MD, DO , or MD/PhD or equivalent degree(s).
Application Requirements
Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research

  • Teaching Statement - See our guidance for writing a reflective teaching statement.

  • Documents - Candidates are welcome to discuss any work related to inclusive excellence in their written materials.
    (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF10218
About UC Irvine

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC anti-discrimination policy.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

  • "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
  • APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Job location
Irvine, CA and Orange, CA

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