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Psychology Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Psychology Instructor information

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$11K

$69.6K

$176.5K

How much do psychology instructor jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for psychology instructor in the United States is $69,587.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,000.00 and $86,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Psychology Instructor Do?

As a psychology instructor, your responsibilities include teaching a curriculum to students in a college or high school course through traditional lectures or in an online setting. You teach various topics related to psychology such as the mental characteristics of a group or individual, psychological disorders, and treatment strategies. Other duties include testing students to ensure they are learning the material, preparing, assigning, and grading projects and papers, and participating in faculty or student events. You must set clear objectives for all learning activities, evaluate student performance, offer office hours for tutoring, and provide extra help to students that need it.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Psychology Instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Psychology Instructor, you need a solid background in psychology (typically a master's or doctoral degree), expertise in the subject matter, and teaching credentials where required. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS) like Canvas or Blackboard, as well as assessment and presentation tools, is crucial for effective instruction. Outstanding communication, adaptability, and interpersonal skills help engage diverse learners and foster a positive classroom environment. These skills and qualifications are essential for delivering high-quality education, supporting student success, and maintaining academic standards.

What are some common challenges Psychology Instructors face when engaging students in diverse classroom settings?

Psychology Instructors often encounter the challenge of addressing varying levels of student interest and background knowledge, especially in large or diverse classrooms. Balancing theoretical concepts with practical applications can be demanding, as instructors strive to make content relevant and accessible to all learners. Additionally, facilitating open discussions on sensitive topics while maintaining a respectful and inclusive environment requires strong communication and classroom management skills. Team collaboration with other faculty members can also help share best practices and resources for student engagement.

What is the difference between Psychology Instructor vs Psychology Professor?

AspectPsychology InstructorPsychology Professor
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's degree in Psychology; teaching certification may be preferredDoctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in Psychology; extensive research and teaching experience
Work EnvironmentCommunity colleges, technical schools, or online platformsUniversities and research institutions
Employer & Industry UsageEducational institutions offering undergraduate coursesHigher education institutions with undergraduate and graduate programs
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding teaching roles in psychology at the college levelAcademic career paths and research opportunities in psychology

Psychology Instructors typically hold a bachelor's or master's degree and teach at community colleges or online platforms, focusing on undergraduate education. Psychology Professors usually have a doctoral degree and work at universities, engaging in research and advanced teaching. Both roles are vital in psychology education but differ in qualifications, work environment, and career scope.

What cities are hiring for Psychology Instructor jobs? Cities with the most Psychology Instructor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Psychology Instructor jobs? The most popular types of Psychology Instructor jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Psychology Instructor jobs? The top employers for Psychology Instructor jobs are:
What states have the most Psychology Instructor jobs? States with the most job openings for Psychology Instructor jobs include:
Infographic showing various Psychology Instructor job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 61% Full Time, 34% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,587 per year, or $33.5 per hour.
Psychology Instructor (PT)

Psychology Instructor (PT)

Solano Community College

Fairfield, CA โ€ข On-site

$75.62 - $91.74/hr

Part-time

Medical

Posted yesterday


Job description

Salary: $75.62 - $91.74 Hourly
Location : Fairfield, CA
Job Type: Adjunct Faculty
Job Number: ADJ-PSYCH-26
Department: School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Opening Date: 02/27/2026
Closing Date: 6/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Solano Community College Psychology Department invites applications of interested and qualified part-time/ hourly instructors. This part-time Psychology instructor will teach in-person courses at all campuses including correctional facilities. We are currently interested in faculty who are qualified to teach Statistics for Social and Behavioral Sciences, Research Methods, Introduction to Psychology and Biological Psychology. In addition, they may teach other psychology courses such as Abnormal Psychology, Cross-Cultural Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Drugs, Society and Behavior, Human Sexual Behavior, Personal and Social Behavior, and/or Social Psychology. All psychology teaching assignments will be in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Welcome Statement:Solano Community College District is a single college district that serves one of the most ethnically and racially diverse counties in California. Located on the ancestral lands of the Patwin people, Solano Community College's Fairfield campus is in the heart of Suisun Valley midway between San Francisco and Sacramento. We also serve students at two centers in Vallejo and Vacaville, at Travis Air Force Base, and at three correctional facilities. Our many innovative programs are supported by state-of-the-art facilities, including a brand-new Library and Learning Center.
Solano Community College values the diversity of our community and is committed to honoring and empowering all of our students. We are seeking highly motivated applicants who excel in their chosen fields and are committed to working with the students from our communities. We invite student-oriented applicants who provide culturally responsive teaching, use a strength-based approach centered on students and are committed to continuous improvement of instructional effectiveness.
Students who attend Solano Community College are dedicated, persistent, and remarkable individuals who deserve the best opportunities a community college can provide. Our students come from both urban and rural backgrounds, from the military, and ethnically and racially diverse backgrounds. We seek candidates who embrace our community, our student population and who have an unwavering commitment to equity, especially the elimination of barriers to college access, success, and completion.
Solano Community College is committed to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA). We are cultivating a supportive and inclusive environment for all faculty, staff, and students.
We invite you to join us on our journey to provide equitable and anti-racist education honoring and empowering the students of Solano Community College.
Solano Community College District and Our Vision for Social Justice:Our Vision for Social Justice at Solano Community College includes increasing our community's knowledge of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) and to apply these principles in our work to honor and empower our students equitably. Solano College commits to institutional change to address systematic racism and to address opportunity gaps that persist at our College.
Our focus is to increase the number of Latino/a/x, Black/African American, and Indigenous/Native American students who complete a degree, certificate, and/or transfer to a four-year college or university. We are also committed to equity in all forms, including support for our LGBTQIA+ community. Current efforts toward equity include the Puente Project, Students Overcoming Adversity and Recidivism (SOAR), DREAMER support and resources, the Foster Youth Initiative, Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS), and our Veterans Center. Additional efforts include professional support such as Teaching for Equity (T4E), Managers for Equity (M4E), and the Student Equity and Success Council.
For more information, please visit us at www.solano.edu.
Description of Position:The successful candidate will be qualified to teach courses in Psychology. Solano Community College seeks candidates who are community-engaged scholars committed to anti-racist, decolonial, and social justice pedagogy relevant to current and structural issues. The assignments are as needed, during Spring, Summer, and/or Fall semesters. This position is a "pool" position, meaning that openings may or may not be currently available. The District maintains a "pool" of applications for positions which are needed on an ongoing basis at Solano Community College. The advantage of "pool" positions is when a position becomes available, the Dean may immediately begin screening applications from the available pool of applicants without having to post a position and wait while the position is being advertised. The district may cancel classes or change instructors as enrollment needs are determined. This part-time Psychology instructor may teach Statistics for Social and Behavioral Sciences, Research Methods, Introduction to Psychology and/or Human Sexual Behavior. In addition, they may teach other psychology courses such as Abnormal Psychology, Biological Psychology, Cross-Cultural Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Drugs, Society, and Behavior, Human Sexual Behavior, Personal and Social Behavior, and Social Psychology for the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities:
Teaching assignments may be split between day and evening, including weekend days, as well as between the various campuses and centers, and at correctional facilities and juvenile detention centers. Teaching modalities will primarily be in-person, but may include hybrid, online and correspondence (as part of our correctional education program). While performing all duties and responsibilities faculty will demonstrate understanding of and be culturally responsive to the diverse academic, socioeconomic, (dis)ability, and ethnic backgrounds of Solano Community College students.
Duties:
  1. Remain current in and implement new strategies for both subject matter areas and engage with effective teaching/learning strategies in multiple teaching modalities.
  2. Advance equitable student learning through dedicated, exemplary instruction in accordance with established and evolving Psychology course outlines.
  3. Remain up-to-date with district technological policies and utilize different technological strategies for accessibility, student retention and success.
  4. Inform/advise students about course requirements; evaluate and provide timely verbal and written assessments of student performance; prepare and grade assignments and examinations; meet administrative timelines and submit completed reports and required documents; and maintain required student attendance, scholastic records, and other related materials.
  5. Optional participation in professional development activities and initiatives, both departmental and college wide.
  6. Maintain appropriate standards of professional conduct and ethics including effective communication with peers, staff, students, and administrators.
  7. Participate in the development, assessment, and evaluation of Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) and Program Level Outcomes (PLO).
  8. Paid office hours are available to adjunct faculty in fall and spring semesters who teach a 20% assignment or more.

Responsibilities:
  • Provide instruction in accordance with established course outlines and expectations.
  • Inform students about course requirements; prepare and grade assignments and examinations.
  • Meet administrative timelines and submit completed and required documents and reports.
  • Maintain required student attendance and scholastic records.
  • Participate in division staff meetings.
  • Keep Student Learning Outcomes current and assess courses.
  • Review of curriculum and assessment of student learning.

Minimum Qualifications
Qualified candidates must have
  • a Master's degree in Psychology
OR
  • a Bachelor's degree in Psychology AND a Master's degree in sociology, statistics, neuroscience, or social work or the equivalent
OR
  • possess a valid California Community College Instructor Credential authorizing service in psychology (please note that issuance of CC Credentials was discontinued in July of 1990; they are no longer available)
If you do not possess the minimum qualifications exactly as stated above, you must request an equivalency review and submit conclusive supporting documents at the time of submitting your application. Equivalency is defined as possessing the general education for the degree and the major coursework for the degree. The equivalency request form shall be included in the application.
All degrees must be from accredited institutions.
Adjunct faculty may purchase health and welfare benefits, at their expense, to the extent permitted by the District's health and welfare benefits carrier and/or broker.
Eligibility:
Taught at Solano Community College for at least two semesters (excludes summer session); must be scheduled for a minimum of 40% assignment at the time of enrollment in the health plan; enrollment periods to be determined each semester; once enrolled mandatory participation will be required (participation period to be determined); premiums will be made through payroll deduction and additional premiums due on a monthly basis by check to the Business Office no later than the 10th of each month for the succeeding month's benefits; and other procedures for implementation as determined by the District in consultation with the Association.