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Entry Level Professor Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

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Entry Level Professor information

See Illinois salary details

$41.2K

$77.6K

$130.8K

How much do entry level professor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level professor in Illinois is $77,577.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,100.00 and $88,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level professor?

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 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 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 does an entry level professor make?

An entry-level professor typically earns a salary ranging from $50,000 to $70,000 annually, depending on the institution, location, and field of expertise. Salaries may increase with additional qualifications, research responsibilities, and teaching experience, and often include benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

What are the most commonly searched types of Professor jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Professor jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Professor jobs in Illinois?

For Entry Level Professor jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Professor jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Professor jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Entry Level Professor jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Entry Level Professor job openings:

Entry Level Professor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Professor job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $77,577 per year, or $37.3 per hour.

Mildred H. Burkman '82 Endowed Professorship

Towson University

Campus, IL

$160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 24 days ago

Towson University rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

386th of 622 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Mildred H. Burkman '82 Endowed ProfessorshipAssociate Professor or ProfessorCollege of Health ProfessionsDepartment of NursingCHP-3916

Towson University:

Towson University (TU) is one of the nation's top 100 public universities. Located north of Baltimore, TU currently enrolls over 19,000 students and is the second-largest university in the prestigious University System of Maryland. Towson University fosters a climate that is grounded in respect to cultivate the intellectual and personal growth of the entire university community.

Position:

The Department of Nursing at Towson University (TU) invites applications and nominations for the Mildred H. Burkman '82 Endowed Professorship. This distinguished position recognizes and supports an accomplished nursing scholar and educator who demonstrates excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service, and who will contribute to advancing the mission and reputation of the department, college, and university. This position will begin August 2026.

About the Endowed Professorship

The Mildred H. Burkman '82 Endowed Professorship was established through the generosity of alumna Mildred H. Burkman to promote excellence in nursing education, while contribute to the scholarly and creative activity within the College of Health Professions, add to the enrichment of the academic life of TU as a whole, and further TU's exceptional leadership, scholarship and collaborative learning in the areas of nursing, community and school health or pediatric nursing

Appointment and Term

The Mildred H. Burkman '82 Endowed Professorship is a tenured faculty appointment. The endowed title and accompanying support are awarded for an initial 3-year term, which is renewable contingent upon excellence in performance and contribution to the department's mission.

Qualifications:

Eligibility for appointment at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor with tenure; rank will be determined by the candidate's experience and qualifications. Established record of excellence in teaching, research/scholarship, leadership and service. Eligibility for RN licensure in Maryland.

Responsibilities:

The endowed professor will carry a teaching responsibility as well as contribute to the scholarly and creative activity within the Department and College of Health Professions. Add to the enrichment of the academic life of TU, scholarship and collaborative learning in the areas of nursing, community and school health or pediatric nursing. Mentor faculty and students in scholarly and professional development activities. Provide exceptional leadership and service in advancing nursing education, research, and practice within the department, college and university.

The Department:

The Department of Nursing is one of six academic units within the College of Health Professions. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the department enrolls approximately 600 pre-licensure undergraduate students, including those in the Associate-to-Bachelor's degree program, and approximately 35 students in the Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing program.

Application Process:

Review of completed applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Application materials should include a letter of application, current curriculum vitae, proof of unencumbered RN license, contact information for three professional references and an official graduate transcript. Application materials should be addressed to Dr. Mary Lashley, and submitted electronically via the application link, preferably in a single PDF file.

Please note that the search number for which you are applying is CHP-3916.

Please be sure to visit the Applicant Data Form to complete a voluntary on-line form. All data

collected are for internal, state, and/or federal reporting and will not be used for other purposes.

Salary and Benefits:

Targeted salary: Professor up to $160,000; Associate Professor up to $150,000. Salary commensurate with experience.

Benefits: TU offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent health, life and retirement plans; and tuition remission. To learn more about our benefits, click here for regular faculty/regular lecturer or here for contingent lecturer. TU also offers a variety of great perks and discounts, which can be found here.

Background Check:

A Criminal Background Investigation is required for the hired candidate and the results may impact employment.

COVID-19 Statement:

The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and neighbors has been our top priority and the focus of every one of our decisions since the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the University System of Maryland (USM) has strongly encouraged full COVID vaccination and up- to-date booster shots (when eligible) for all faculty, staff, and students at all schools in the USM as both a reasonable and necessary means of protecting our health and safety.

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