ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Creative Writing Professor Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

NuMark Credit Union

Social Media Intern

Warrenville, IL

$15.50 - $20/hr

Do you have a creative eye, a pulse on social media trends, and a passion for telling stories that ... Strong written communication skills * Experience with analytics tools such as Meta Insights or ...

NuMark Credit Union

Social Media Intern

Warrenville, IL · On-site

$20/hr

Do you have a creative eye, a pulse on social media trends, and a passion for telling stories that ... Assist in writing captions that reflect NuMark's voice, mission, and compliance standardsSupport ...

All JobsCreative Writing Professor JobsCreative Writing Professor Jobs in Chicago, IL

Creative Writing Professor information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$43.8K

$82.5K

$139.1K

How much do creative writing professor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative writing professor in Chicago, IL is $82,470.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,800.00 and $94,300.00 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 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.
More about Creative Writing Professor jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Creative Writing Professor jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Creative Writing Professor jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Creative Writing Professor jobs in Chicago, IL? For Creative Writing Professor jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Creative Writing Professor jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Creative Writing Professor jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Creative Writing Professor jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Creative Writing Professor job openings:
Creative Writing Professor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Writing Professor job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,470 per year, or $39.6 per hour.

Part Time Faculty, English

DePaul University

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time, Part-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

DePaul University rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 29 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

383rd of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Description
The Department of English within the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at DePaul University invites expressions of interest in part-time faculty teaching opportunities, should they become available during the academic year. Applicants with expertise that matches course scheduling needs will be contacted for an interview if courses become available. Academic course schedules fluctuate from quarter to quarter and the department will work with selected individuals to determine a quarterly schedule. The Department does its best to give ample notice about available courses and potential course cancellations.
Please note: If you are interested in teaching composition courses, you should apply to the Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse Department.
Qualifications
Master's Degree in English Literature and/or Creative Writing, or three years of experience in the publishing industry.
Experience teaching literature and/or creative writing courses at the college level strongly preferred.
Application Instructions
This posting applies to the following areas: -British Literature -American Literature -Multiethnic Literature -Creative Writing -Publishing Applicants whose qualifications meet current needs may be asked to submit further materials.
Please visit the following URL for information about the program and course offerings:
https://las.depaul.edu/academics/english/about/Pages/default.aspx
Considerations:
Exceptions to standard rates may apply to courses with unique credit hours, supervision, labs, clinical/practicum courses, coaching, administrative tasks, and courses that are either over-enrolled or under-enrolled.
General Compensation/Benefits Statement:
DePaul University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the qualifications, education, experience, and training of the selected candidate, the scope and responsibilities of the position, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.
DePaul University offers a variety of benefit options for qualified part-time employees. Further information regarding benefits can be found here: https://offices.depaul.edu/human-resources/benefits/part-time/Pages/default.aspx
About DePaul University's Academic Calendar:
Except for the College of Law, DePaul University operates on a quarter system. Classes in Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters are 11 weeks in length (including finals week) and Summer courses, in two sessions, are typically 5 weeks in length. The College of Law operates on the semester system. Classes in the Fall and Spring semesters are 16 weeks in length (including finals week) and it offers a Summer Session of 7 weeks (including final exams).

What DePaul University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply