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Entry Level Professor Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

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Entry Level Professor information

See Colorado salary details

$44.7K

$84.2K

$142K

How much do entry level professor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level professor in Colorado is $84,181.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,100.00 and $96,200.00 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 get your first professor job?

To secure an entry-level professor position, candidates typically need a relevant advanced degree such as a master's or doctorate, along with teaching experience or research credentials. Building a strong academic record, publishing research, and gaining teaching experience through assistantships or adjunct roles can improve prospects; applying through university job boards and networking within academic circles are also important steps.

What is an entry level professor called?

An entry-level professor is typically referred to as an assistant professor. This is the initial rank for faculty members who have completed their doctoral degree and are beginning their academic careers, often involving teaching, research, and service responsibilities.

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.

How do you become a professor with no experience?

To become an entry-level professor with no experience, 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 roles, along with developing research skills and publishing work, can improve prospects for securing a faculty position.

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.
What are the most commonly searched types of Professor jobs in Colorado? The most popular types of Professor jobs in Colorado are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Professor jobs in Colorado? For Entry Level Professor jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Professor jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Professor jobs in Colorado are:
Entry Level Professor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Professor job openings in Colorado as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,181 per year, or $40.5 per hour.
Open Rank - Tenure-Track Law Professor

Open Rank - Tenure-Track Law Professor

University of Colorado

Boulder, CO • On-site

$147K - $155K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

University Of Colorado Boulder rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 39 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

139th of 612 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Job Summary
The University of Colorado Law School invites applications from entry-level and lateral candidates for one or more full-time, tenured or tenure-track faculty positions to begin at the start of the 2027-2028 academic year.
We welcome applications from candidates in all subject areas and at all levels of seniority. We have particular needs in Tax Law, Labor and Employment Law, and Business Law.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
We are an engaged and inclusive community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who help one another succeed. Our faculty is highly regarded for its scholarship, its engagement in policy work, and its contributions to the wider community. Our selective admissions process keeps our student body small, enabling our faculty, staff, alumni, and community to invest deeply in each student's success, while preserving resources for innovative faculty research. We take our responsibility to educate and train future lawyers seriously. Our curriculum, research centers, and experiential learning opportunities are designed to prepare students for success in today's changing legal environment.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
The workload for this position is 40% Teaching/40% Research/20% Service:
  • Teaching (40%): Faculty members are expected to teach an annual workload of 9-10 credits per academic year and to provide instruction as assigned by the Dean or their delegate. Classroom instruction responsibilities include holding class for the entire period for which the class is scheduled (including the final examination period) and evaluating students' work and assigning grades consistent with the policies of the Law School and University. Ongoing curriculum development and planning are also important components of teaching.
  • Research (40%): Faculty members are expected to research and prepare scholarly publications in their areas of expertise. Faculty members are expected to participate in scholarly and research activities that enhance their professional development and contribute to their disciplines, including by participating in academic conferences.
  • Service (20%): Faculty members are expected to engage in service to the institution, to students, and to their fields and/or the broader community and the public. University service involves, as appropriate to career stage, membership in departmental, college-level, and university committees; attending departmental meetings; processing routine paperwork; answering email; and participating in surveys. It also involves engaging in the life of the law school and contributing to law school culture and community, including by mentoring students and fostering a culture of inclusivity.

What You Should Know
  • Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

What We Can Offer
  • Entry-Level (Associate Professor) pay range is $147,500-$155,000 annualy.
  • Lateral (Associate Professor or Professor) pay range is $155,000-$240,000 annually.
  • Onboarding assistance is available within School of Law guidelines.

Benefits
At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be authentic. Be impactful. Be Boulder.
What We Require
We seek candidates with great potential for and records of innovative and impactful scholarship and engaged teaching, appropriate to career stage. Successful candidates will also show potential for, and career-stage-appropriate records of, productively contributing to the life and culture of the law school by readily engaging in service work. Candidates must hold a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school or equivalent degree in a related field.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
  1. Resume/CV
  2. Cover Letter (addressed to the Search Committee; candidates may use the Cover Letter to, for example, describe their interest in Colorado Law or highlight ways in which aspects of their record and experience show potential for dedication to formal and informal service work, including community-building and student mentorship in service of a culture of inclusivity)
  3. "Job Talk" Paper (the principal paper you would like us to consider as an example of your scholarship)
  4. Research Agenda (describing your research to date along with the proposed future trajectory of your research)
  5. Teaching Statement (describing the courses you are interested in teaching as well as your approach to legal education and any prior teaching experience)

Should your candidacy advance, you may be asked to provide a list of references who may be contacted for letters of recommendation. We may also request additional materials from candidates, including teaching evaluations.
For full consideration, candidates should apply by September 1, 2026, although we recommend that you submit your materials as soon as possible.
For questions, please contact Professor Amanda Parsons, Chair of the Faculty Appointments Committee, Amanda.Parsons@colorado.edu , and Victoria Johnson, Faculty Affairs Program Manager, victoria.a.johnson@colorado.edu .
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs .
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

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