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How much do substitute professor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for substitute professor in the United States is $23.49, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.62 and $27.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by substitute professors when stepping into a new classroom environment?

Substitute professors often encounter the challenge of quickly adapting to new course materials, diverse student expectations, and unfamiliar institutional policies. They may need to establish rapport with students and maintain continuity in course objectives, sometimes with minimal preparation time. Additionally, substitute professors must be flexible and resourceful, managing varying teaching styles and classroom dynamics to ensure a smooth learning experience. Effective communication with full-time faculty and support staff is also crucial for success in this role.

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

To thrive as a Substitute Professor, you need subject matter expertise, a relevant advanced degree (typically a master's or doctorate), and teaching experience in higher education. Familiarity with learning management systems (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard) and classroom technology is often required. Outstanding communication, adaptability, and classroom management skills help you engage students and maintain continuity in instruction. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure effective teaching, student learning, and a seamless transition during faculty absences.

What is the difference between Substitute Professor vs Adjunct Professor?

AspectSubstitute ProfessorAdjunct Professor
CredentialsTypically requires a master's degree or higher in the subject areaUsually requires a master's degree; some positions prefer a doctorate
Work EnvironmentTemporary, short-term teaching assignments, often filling in for regular facultyPart-time, ongoing teaching roles, often with multiple institutions
Employer & Industry UsageUsed mainly in academic institutions for short-term coverageCommon in colleges and universities for part-time instruction

Substitute Professors primarily fill in for regular faculty on a temporary basis, often for short periods. Adjunct Professors typically hold part-time, ongoing teaching positions and may teach multiple courses across institutions. Both roles require similar credentials but differ mainly in duration and employment structure.

What are substitute professors?

Substitute professors are educators who temporarily fill in for regular faculty members at colleges or universities when they are unavailable due to illness, leave, or other reasons. They are responsible for maintaining the continuity of instruction, delivering lectures, leading discussions, and overseeing coursework. Substitute professors may also manage grading and student communication during their assignment. Their role is essential to ensure that classes continue smoothly and students' education is not disrupted. Substitute professors may work for a short period or for an entire semester, depending on the institution's needs.
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Substitute Professor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Substitute Professor job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 56% Full Time, 38% Part Time, and 3% Temporary. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,863 per year, or $23.5 per hour.
Professor of Urban Design

Professor of Urban Design

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • On-site

$185K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Harvard University rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

131st of 534 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Position
Details
Title
Professor of Urban Design
School
Harvard Graduate School of Design
Department/Area
Urban Planning and Design
Position Description
The Department of Urban Planning and Design at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design (GSD) invites applications for a faculty position at the rank of Professor of Urban Design with tenure from distinguished scholars and practitioners. We seek candidates whose record of research, scholarship, and/or professional practice is recognized by peers as constituting exemplary, innovative approaches that critically engage with key challenges facing cities, including sustainable spatial patterns, conflicts facing the public realm, transformations of work and living environments, and growing economic and social inequalities while integrating these challenges within an epistemology of urban-architectural design.
In addressing these challenges, we are interested in candidates who are committed to interdisciplinary engagement in a school that hosts the fields of urban planning, landscape architecture, architecture, and real estate, as well as with schools within Harvard University at large. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to engage with a full range of urban design methods such as the deployment of digital platforms, new technologies including AI, and the latest innovations in spatial analysis and representation. Applicants should have a forward-looking agenda combining design research with studio and/or classroom pedagogy.
Basic Qualifications
Applicants must have an advanced terminal degree in urban design, architecture, or a related design field focused on cities.
The school aims to attract and retain individuals who possess a quality of mind demonstrating high levels of intelligence, clarity of expression, analytical ability, critical judgment, creativity, and initiative. We also value individuals who support free inquiry and expression by others and constructive, collegial collaborations with faculty, staff, and students. In the school's evaluation of candidates, desirable individual qualities and high potential are not substitutes for a record of academic and creative achievement. Accomplished contributions to the field through scholarship and/or design are essential to effective teaching over time. Continued study and investigation with public exposition of research and professional accomplishments are normal obligations for Harvard faculty members.
The position of tenured professor is intended for individuals pursuing full-time academic careers who are highly effective teachers and whose creative work in scholarship, design research/work, professional practice, or a combination thereof, is recognized by peers as a preeminent and enduring intellectual contribution to their field. Individuals in this position will employ their time teaching, conducting creative work in scholarship or design research/work, and fulfilling their responsibilities for academic service. Appointments are made with tenure on a full-time basis. The appointment for a full-time position requires residency in Cambridge/Boston, MA.
Additional Qualifications
Special Instructions
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in August 2026.
Applicants should submit:
  • A cover letter
  • A Curriculum Vitae
  • Design and research work samples - selected material from your portfolio, including publications, research statement, design work (up to 15 mb).

Subsequent Submission: Candidates advancing in the selection process will be asked to provide additional material later.
If visa sponsorship is needed, Harvard retains the discretion to determine which visa status is appropriate and whether a visa sponsorship application will ultimately be submitted, including payment of any applicable fees.
Contact Information
Emmy Ly, Senior Coordinator, Faculty Affairs
Contact Email
ely@gsd.harvard.edu
Salary Range
Professor (full-time, tenured) hiring range: $185,000+
Minimum Number of References Required
Maximum Number of References Allowed
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