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Entry Level Adjunct Professor Jobs in California

Entry Level Adjunct Professor information

See California salary details

$27

$66

$77

How much do entry level adjunct professor jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level adjunct professor in California is $66.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65.96 and $69.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does an Entry Level Adjunct Professor Do?

As an entry-level adjunct professor, your job is to teach a class of students at a college or university. Most adjunct professors focus on a single subject and collaborate with other faculty to ensure that all lessons meet the requirements of the school. As an entry-level instructor, you may work directly under the head of your department and take the classes assigned to you, which are normally lower-level classes for new students. You may fulfill other administrative tasks as needed. Most entry-level adjunct professors use this position to gain experience before transferring to a full-time position, so you could be in this job for as little as one year.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Adjunct Professor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Adjunct Professor, you generally need a relevant master's or doctoral degree, subject matter expertise, and experience in teaching or academic research. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS) like Canvas or Blackboard, as well as basic proficiency in classroom technology, is important. Strong communication, adaptability, and organizational skills help foster student engagement and manage diverse classes effectively. These abilities ensure effective instruction, student success, and a positive academic environment.

What should I expect in terms of mentorship and support as an entry level adjunct professor?

As an entry level adjunct professor, you can typically expect to receive some level of mentorship and support from full-time faculty or department chairs, particularly during your first semester. Many institutions offer orientation sessions, teaching resources, and peer observation opportunities to help you become familiar with academic policies and effective teaching methods. Collaboration with other adjuncts and access to faculty meetings can also provide valuable networking and professional development. However, the extent of mentorship varies by institution, so it’s helpful to inquire about available resources during the hiring process.

What is an entry level adjunct professor?

An entry level adjunct professor is a part-time, non-tenure-track faculty member who teaches courses at a college or university. Typically, adjunct professors are hired on a contract basis for one or more semesters and may not have the same responsibilities or benefits as full-time faculty. Entry level adjuncts often have a master's degree or higher in their field and may be beginning their teaching careers. They are responsible for preparing course materials, delivering lectures, and evaluating student performance. This role provides valuable teaching experience and can be a stepping stone to full-time academic positions.

What is the difference between Entry Level Adjunct Professor vs Part-Time Lecturer?

AspectEntry Level Adjunct ProfessorPart-Time Lecturer
Required CredentialsMaster's degree or higher in relevant fieldMaster's degree or higher in relevant field
Work EnvironmentColleges and universities, primarily classroom teachingColleges, universities, or online platforms, primarily classroom or online teaching
Employer & Industry UsageAcademic institutions, higher educationAcademic institutions, higher education
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Entry Level Adjunct Professors and Part-Time Lecturers often share similar credentials and work environments, both serving in higher education institutions. The main difference lies in terminology; 'Adjunct Professor' is often used in academic contexts emphasizing faculty status, while 'Part-Time Lecturer' may refer to non-tenure-track teaching roles. Both roles typically involve teaching courses on a part-time basis, making them comparable in responsibilities and industry usage.

What are the most commonly searched types of Adjunct Professor jobs in California? The most popular types of Adjunct Professor jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Adjunct Professor jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Adjunct Professor jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Adjunct Professor jobs? Cities in California with the most Entry Level Adjunct Professor job openings:
Visiting Assistant/Associate Professor (Temporary Employee Pool)

Visiting Assistant/Associate Professor (Temporary Employee Pool)

University of the Pacific

San Francisco, CA

Part-time

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Position Information
Title Visiting Assistant/Associate Professor (Temporary Employee Pool) Campus Sacramento Department Nursing Posting Number F00782 Full or Part Time Part Time Open Date 07/05/2023 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Days Per Week Weeks Per Year
Position Description
Primary Purpose and Essential Functions
Position Summary Information
The School of Health Sciences at the University of the Pacific invites applicants for part-time, adjunct, non-tenure track position in the Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing Program (ELMSN).
The ELMSN Program is designed for students who have a bachelor's degree, complete the required prerequisites, to enter the ELMSN program. Graduates are eligible for RN licensure, a Public Health Certificate, and an MSN degree. Teaching is the primary focus at the University. We aspire to promote student learning within a humanistic environment that facilitates student success to be competent self-directed learners.
The successful faculty candidate will be part of a highly motivated, cohesive faculty of experienced educators working as an interdisciplinary team to deliver a forward-thinking ELMSN curriculum designed to meet the new AACN Master's Essentials (2021).
Primary Purpose:

Assistant Clinical Professor will be the faculty of record for teaching/facilitating one (1) or two (2) didactic courses each semester. The accelerated trimester program curriculum is delivered over two (2) years.
Essential Functions:
  • Teach courses in areas of expertise using innovative teaching modalities.
  • Create a student-centered learning environment.
  • Prepare lectures or recorded PowerPoints, course content, and other media rich technologies for effective teaching.
  • Engage regularly with students in discussion boards, and virtual meetings for advising and clarification of course expectations.
  • Grade learning activities and provide timely constructive feedback.
  • Mentor student-directed scholarly work.
  • Provide academic advising.
  • Design and conduct educational programs and courses of instruction in accordance with the policies of the University.
  • Actively participate in the comprehensive planning or review of the development and quality improvement of the educational programs and courses of study, assist in the evaluation of the effectiveness of such programs and courses, and to make recommendations to the Deans and Provost concerning the educational mission, programs, and policies of the University.
  • Participate in the selection, evaluation, and advancement of faculty and academic administrators.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
Seeking Applicants with content expertise in one (1) or more master's core courses and/or BRN specialty content areas (minimum):
  • Evidence-Based Research
  • Community Health
  • Health Assessment
  • Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
  • Pharmacology
  • Adult Health/Gero
  • Critical Care Nursing
  • Nursing Fundamentals
  • Pediatrics
  • Maternal Care, OB, Post-Partum, Neonatal
  • Mental Health Nursing
  • Quality Improvement
  • Population Health Epidemiology
  • Informatics
  • Health Care Policy/Advocacy
  • Health Systems Leadership
  • Care Coordination and Transition Management
  • Capstone EBP Projects
  • Advanced Pharmacology
University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritizes policy and decision-making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways socio-cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socio-economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty and staff.
Minimum Qualifications
  • A master's degree or its equivalent in the field of specialization and a promise of teaching success and of scholarly or artistic achievements; a candidate without a master's degree must have equivalent educational or professional experience in the appropriate area of instructional responsibility, and the recommendation for Population Health Epidemiology appointment must contain a statement of this equivalence.
Preferred Qualifications
  • MSN or Doctoral Degree in Nursing, PhD, DNP, EdD or doctoral degree in a related field.
  • Active unencumbered RN license.
  • Experience with Canvas EMS and Exam soft.
  • Ability to communicate effectively through oral and written modalities. One (1) to two (2) years' experience in teaching nursing courses.
  • Computer literacy.
  • Ability to work as a team with administrators, fellow faculty, staff, and students. Knowledge, skills, and experience in working with diverse students.
  • One (1) to two (2) years' experience teaching as a clinical instructor.
  • Expertise in clinical skills/simulation.
  • Knowledge, skills, and experience in working with diverse students.
  • Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
  • Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting.
  • Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative but not definitive of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment/Work Week/Travel:
Schedule is dependent on the course and department needs.
Hiring Range $2,300 - $3,400 per unit. We consider factors such as, but not limited to, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, internal equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. Special Instructions
THIS POSTING IS NOT A GUARANTEE OF AN OPEN POSITION. Your application will be active for 90 days. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and are reviewed by the hiring department as openings become available. To maintain your application within the system, you will need to re-apply.
Applicants must complete all applicable sections of the online application to be considered for a position. Candidates who are called for an interview must notify the Department of Human Resources in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed before the date of the interview.
Note: if a job-specific posting is created and you are interested in that specific position, please apply to that job posting. Submission of materials does not guarantee consideration for future employment in openings of this type since availability can be unpredictable and consideration competitive.
Contact Information Contact Email
Reference Letter Information
Are Applicants Required to Submit References for This Posting? Yes Minimum Number of References 2 Maximum Number of References 2 Background Check Statement
All applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment are required to execute a release and authorization for a background screening.
AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: University of the Pacific complies with California Assembly Bill 810, requiring candidates accepting conditional job offers to disclose any final administrative or judicial findings, ongoing proceedings, allegations, resignations under investigation, or appeals related to sexual harassment or misconduct within the past seven years.
Anti-Discrimination/EEO Policy Statement

University of the Pacific is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to workforce diversity across backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. Pacific does not unlawfully discriminate in its hiring of faculty and staff, or in the provision of its employment benefits to its faculty and staff on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, sex/gender, marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, or mental or physical disability, or other legally protected characteristics or combination of such characteristics. While we strive to attract a broad and representative pool of candidates, all hiring decisions are made based on merit, selecting the most qualified individual for each position.