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Entry Level Professor Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Entry Level Professor information

See Tennessee salary details

$38.6K

$72.7K

$122.5K

How much do entry level professor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level professor in Tennessee is $72,661.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,500.00 and $83,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 experience, research funding, and academic credentials such as a Ph.D. or terminal degree. Entry-level positions often involve teaching, research, and service responsibilities within higher education institutions.

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?

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.

Can you be an entry level professor without any teaching experience?

Entry level professors typically need some teaching experience, such as graduate assistantships or teaching internships, to qualify for faculty positions. However, requirements vary by institution and discipline, and strong academic credentials or research experience can sometimes compensate for limited teaching background.

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 Tennessee? The most popular types of Professor jobs in Tennessee are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Professor jobs in Tennessee? For Entry Level Professor jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Professor job openings in Tennessee as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,661 per year, or $34.9 per hour.

Assistant Professor of Law

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, TN • On-site

Full-time, Part-time, Contractor

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Lincoln Memorial University rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

521st of 614 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Position Details
Position Information
Position Title
Assistant Professor of Law
Department
Part-Time Law Program
Position Category
Faculty
Job Description
Position for entry-level and lateral candidates for full-time, tenure-track faculty positions starting in July 2027. We welcome applications from all subject areas and have a particular need for expertise in criminal law and procedure, evidence, and family law. As we expand our predominantly online part-time hybrid program, we also seek candidates across all doctrinal areas who would enjoy the challenges of online teaching. LMU Law faculty members are committed to supporting students in their academic, professional, and personal development. We work collaboratively to provide innovative legal education, incorporating best practices in skill-based and experiential learning. We seek candidates who share this ethos and are excited to contribute. This position offers a twelve-month contract with teaching responsibilities in alternate summers. Our tenure and promotion policies consider this when determining scholarship requirements.
Required Qualifications
Candidates must have a J.D. or equivalent, strong academic credentials, and a commitment to legal education.
Preferred Qualifications
We value diverse experiences, including teaching, scholarship, legal practice, clerkships, and post-law-school work. This can be evidenced by involvement in student-focused activities, mentoring, educational presentations, writing for legal publications, or leadership in professional or community organizations
Physical Demands
Campus
Duncan School of Law
Job Duty
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
F01563P
Job Open Date
08/11/2025
Job Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Special Instructions Summary
Faculty recruitment for FY27 (will not start any new hire until 7/1/26)
About the Institution
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is located in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about employment opportunities, contact the Office of Human Resources at 423-869-7112 or humanresources@lmunet.edu.
AA/EEO Statement
Lincoln Memorial University is an Equal Opportunity education institution. Lincoln Memorial University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, veteran status, military status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in all University programs and activities.
Background Check Statement
The University will conduct criminal background checks on all employees. Background checks may include but are not limited to confirmation of the individual's identity, credit information, motor vehicle driving record, review of an individual's criminal conviction record (if any), verification of any license, and certificate or degree required for the position.
Quicklink for Posting
https://careers.lmunet.edu/postings/41056
Minimum Salary
Maximum Salary

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