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Entry Level Professor Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Entry Level Professor information

See Arizona salary details

$39.6K

$74.6K

$125.8K

How much do entry level professor jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level professor in Arizona is $74,604.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,900.00 and $85,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can a 30 year old be a college professor?

Yes, a 30-year-old can be a college professor if they have the necessary qualifications, such as a master's or doctoral degree in their field, along with relevant teaching or research experience. Age is not a limiting factor; academic institutions typically focus on credentials and expertise when hiring faculty members.

How to become a professor with no experience?

To become an entry-level professor, candidates typically need at least a master's degree or a doctoral degree in the relevant field. Gaining teaching experience through assistantships, internships, or adjunct positions, along with developing research skills and publishing work, can help compensate for lack of formal experience. Building a strong academic record and networking within the academic community are also important steps.

What is an entry level professor called?

An entry-level professor is typically called an assistant professor. This is an early-career faculty position that usually requires a doctoral degree and involves teaching, research, and service responsibilities, often with a focus on gaining experience and building a publication record.

What is the difference between Entry Level Professor vs Adjunct Professor?

AspectEntry Level ProfessorAdjunct Professor
Required CredentialsMaster's or Doctorate in relevant fieldMaster's or Doctorate, often part-time
Work EnvironmentFull-time, academic institutionPart-time, often contract-based
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, collegesUniversities, colleges, online platforms
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Entry Level Professors typically hold full-time positions with a focus on teaching and research, requiring a higher level of commitment. Adjunct Professors usually work part-time, often on a contractual basis, primarily focusing on teaching without research obligations. Both roles require similar credentials but differ mainly in employment status and workload.

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

To thrive as an Entry Level Professor, you need a solid academic background in your subject area, often a Ph.D. or terminal degree, along with experience in teaching or research. Familiarity with learning management systems (such as Canvas or Blackboard), online collaboration tools, and academic publishing platforms is typically required. Strong communication, organization, and mentorship skills help foster student engagement and collaboration with colleagues. These skills and qualifications are vital to effectively deliver curriculum, support student success, and contribute to academic scholarship.

What is an entry level professor?

An entry level professor is typically a faculty member at a college or university who is just beginning their academic teaching career. This position is often referred to as an Assistant Professor and usually requires a doctoral degree in the relevant field. Entry level professors are responsible for teaching undergraduate or graduate courses, conducting research, publishing scholarly work, and participating in departmental service. They may also mentor students and help develop academic programs. This role is usually the first step in the tenure-track pathway in academia.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level professors when transitioning from graduate studies to a faculty role?

Entry level professors often find the transition from graduate studies to a faculty position challenging due to balancing teaching, research, and service responsibilities. They may need to quickly develop effective course materials, manage larger classes, and adapt to diverse student needs. Additionally, establishing a research agenda while meeting publication and grant expectations can be demanding. Building relationships with colleagues and seeking mentorship within the department can help ease the transition and foster professional growth.

Can you make 200k as a professor?

Entry-level professors typically do not earn $200,000 annually; such salaries are usually associated with senior faculty, department chairs, or those in high-demand fields at research universities. Factors like experience, discipline, institution type, and geographic location influence salary levels, with most starting salaries significantly below that amount.
What are the most commonly searched types of Professor jobs in Arizona? The most popular types of Professor jobs in Arizona are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Professor jobs in Arizona? For Entry Level Professor jobs in Arizona, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Arizona are hiring for Entry Level Professor jobs? Cities in Arizona with the most Entry Level Professor job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Professor job openings in Arizona as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Part Time. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $74,604 per year, or $35.9 per hour.
Assistant Clinical Professor, Nursing

Assistant Clinical Professor, Nursing

Northern Arizona University

Tucson, AZ • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago


Northern Arizona University rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 29 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

427th of 537 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Special Information
  • This position is a hybrid position which allows the incumbent to complete their work at both an NAU site, campus, or facility and at a non-centralized site with or without accommodation.
  • This position is located in Tucson, AZ.

About the Department/College

Aligned with NAU's mission to develop solutions to challenges and drive innovation in a supportive, inclusive, and diverse environment, the Maria and Steve Sanghi College of Nursing seeks to build on our longstanding strengths in preparing skilled, resilient, and culturally responsive nurses for the modern nursing profession.
The Northern Arizona University Maria and Steve Sanghi College of Nursing continues to build a world-class team of curious, creative, scholarly, and responsive faculty to positively impact the nursing profession in Arizona and beyond.
Nursing offers the undergraduate program at locations around the state of Arizona including Flagstaff, Phoenix (North Valley), Tucson, and Yuma. Some degree programs are also offered online. The Maria and Steve Sanghi College of Nursing is growing in order to meet the demand for nurses around the state, especially in rural and underserved areas.


About the Position

The Northern Arizona University Maria and Steve Sanghi College of Nursing is seeking nurse educators who can contribute to academic excellence, an inclusive learning community, and fostering persistence, completion, and postgraduate success for all students. We are hiring faculty who are committed to addressing inclusive excellence in nursing education and the nursing profession.

The Maria and Steve Sanghi College of Nursing invites applications for a 12-month non-tenure track faculty position. The successful candidate will be appointed as a non-tenure track Assistant Clinical Professor. The Maria and Steve Sanghi College of Nursing seeks creative, engaging, innovative faculty with expertise in the areas of Psychiatric/Mental Health or Obstetrics and Pediatrics theory and clinical courses for an undergraduate pre-licensure program. This faculty appointment is for an on-campus position at the Tucson Campus. Successful candidates will meet minimum requirements for Assistant Clinical Professor, have experience teaching within hybrid learning environments, and have a commitment to undergraduate teaching and mentoring. Some travel is required. Some evenings and weekend availability.

  • Understand and perform in the role of Nurse Educator, inclusive of teaching, scholarship, and service.
  • Design and develop written syllabi/course outlines, curricula, and instructional materials.
  • Provide evidence-based teaching and assessment in classroom instruction (online and in-person), nursing skills labs, clinical facility, and clinical simulation to entry-level BSN students.
  • Supervise and instruct students of various ages and diverse backgrounds in classroom, online, lab, and/or clinical settings.
  • Use technology to promote effective learning in students and management of student progression.
  • Maintain office hours to support and advise students.
  • Contribute to College of Nursing and university governance by serving on committees.
  • Participate in ongoing professional growth and development opportunities.
  • Provide input to the best use of funds and other resources to support effective learning and working spaces.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Nursing.
  • Master's degree in Nursing or related field.
  • 3 years of clinical nursing practice.
  • Eligible for RN license in Arizona

*A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Qualifications.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Prior teaching in baccalaureate nursing education.
  • Experience in curriculum and course development, design, and delivery.
  • Teaching experience in nursing using distance learning technology.
  • Expertise in the areas of Fundamentals of Nursing, Psychiatric/Mental Health, Obstetrics and Pediatrics theory and clinical courses for an undergraduate pre-licensure program.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge

  • Knowledge of Canvas or similar learning management system.
  • Knowledge of instructional design, effective pedagogy, team teaching, and innovative learning methodologies.
  • Knowledge of best practices in teaching and learning in traditional and hybrid classroom environments.
  • Knowledge of online course development and delivery.
  • Knowledge of current trends in higher education and demographic trends.

Skills

  • Course development skills.
  • Effective leadership and active listening skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills.

Abilities

  • Communicates effectively.
  • Develops and maintains good working relationships.
  • Facilitates learning in multiple modalities.
  • Teaches a wide variety of courses.

Compensation

Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.


Pre-Employment Check

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Also, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements.


Notice of Availability of the Annual Fire and Security Report

Each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.


Immigration Support/Sponsorship

Northern Arizona University will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.


Submit your Application

Vacancy will remain open until filled. Applications received before the deadline shown above will receive full consideration.
To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page.
Application must include (saved as PDF and/or Word documents):
1. a cover letter highlighting your particular qualifications for this position;
2. a curriculum vitae; and
3. names and contact information for three references.
Please do not include any other documents as they will not be considered.
If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.


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