Higher Education Jobs: Faculty Positions, Salaries & Career Paths

Explore diverse career paths in Higher Education within the Education sector. Opportunities range from teaching roles at universities to research positions in educational policy and curriculum development.

Unlock Your Future in Higher Education: Thriving Careers Await!

Higher education jobs encompass a dynamic world of teaching, research, and leadership at universities and colleges. Aspiring professors, experienced academics, and administrative professionals find unparalleled opportunities to influence generations. AcademicJobs.com features thousands of openings, from entry-level lecturers to executive deans. Front-load your search with higher education faculty jobs, administration jobs, and specialized roles like postdocs.

For students and parents, academia offers prestige and intellectual fulfillment. Pursue a PhD after bachelor's and master's degrees, often 5-8 years total, with postdocs extending training. Evaluate potential mentors via Rate My Professor for higher education instructors. Job seekers benefit from competitive pay; full professors average $144,000 annually per AAUP 2022-23 data. Dive into professor salaries for breakdowns by rank and region. Trends include rising demand for diverse hires and hybrid teaching post-2020, with 8% growth projected by BLS through 2032. Fringe quirk: Adjuncts in California community colleges earn up to $10,000 per course amid union pushes, contrasting gig-like national averages of $4,000.

Diverse Higher Education Job Opportunities

Higher education jobs span faculty, staff, and support roles. Target lecturer jobs, professor jobs, or adjunct professor jobs. Remote options grow via remote higher ed jobs.

Faculty & Research

Tenure-track and research assistant positions drive innovation. Link programs to research jobs.

Apply Now

Administration & Executive

Deans and HR roles manage campuses. See executive higher ed jobs.

View Listings

Support & Specialty

Postdocs, clinical research, and community college gigs. Explore community college jobs.

Find Roles
Browse All Higher Ed Jobs

Professor Salaries and Earnings

Earnings vary by rank, institution, and location. Public doctoral institutions lead with full professors at $143,982 (AAUP 2022-23). Private elites like Ivy League exceed $200,000. Check professor salaries for precise data.

RankAverage Salary (Public Doctoral)
Assistant Professor$89,360
Associate Professor$102,326
Full Professor$143,982

Hotspots: California and New York offer premiums. Use university salaries tool.

Career Paths for Students and Aspiring Professors

From Student to Tenure

Start with undergrad, advance to PhD (median 6 years). Gain experience via TAships. Rate courses on Rate My Course and professors on Rate My Professor. Post-PhD, adjunct or postdoc leads to tenure-track.

Fringe: Youngest U.S. tenured professor, Alondra Nelson, achieved at 37. Parents note job stability despite market saturation.

Get Career Advice

Trends, Prestige & Quirks in Higher Education

Demand surges for STEM and DEI-focused hires. Ivy League prestige shines; review Ivy League schools. Quirks: UK lecturer salaries lag U.S. (~£45,000 start), see UK academic jobs. Adjunct boom creates 70% non-tenure workforce nationally. Use free resume template for applications.

Global: UniJobs for international. Track calendars via academic calendar.

Associations for Higher Education

  • International Association of Universities

    A global membership-based organization that promotes higher education and university cooperation worldwide.

  • American Council on Education

    The major coordinating body for higher education institutions in the United States, advocating for policy and leadership development.

  • European University Association

    An organization representing universities across Europe to influence EU policies and promote best practices in higher education.

  • Universities Canada

    The national organization representing Canadian universities, focusing on advocacy, research, and international partnerships.

  • Universities Australia

    The peak body advocating for Australia's university sector, promoting policy, research, and innovation.

  • Universities UK

    The collective voice of universities in the United Kingdom, focusing on policy influence and sector-wide collaboration.

  • Association of Pacific Rim Universities

    A network of leading universities in the Asia-Pacific region dedicated to advancing economic, scientific, and cultural collaboration through higher education.

Frequently Asked Questions

🎓What qualifications are needed for higher education faculty jobs?

Most require a PhD; master's suffices for community colleges. Research publications boost tenure-track chances. Check Rate My Professor for field insights.

💰What are average professor salaries in higher education?

Assistant: $89k, Associate: $102k, Full: $144k (AAUP 2022-23 public doctoral). Varies by location; explore professor salaries on AcademicJobs.com.

📚How can students prepare for higher education careers?

Earn PhD, publish, TA. Rate mentors on Rate My Professor. Use career advice for paths.

📈What trends shape higher education jobs?

8% growth to 2032 (BLS), remote/hybrid rise, adjunct surge (70% workforce). Fringe: California adjunct strikes for better pay.

🏛️Are Ivy League higher education jobs prestigious?

Yes, with salaries 50%+ above average. Salaries top $250k for stars. See Ivy League guide.

How to rate higher education professors?

Use Rate My Professor for reviews on teaching style and fairness before enrolling.

💻What about remote higher education jobs?

Growing post-pandemic; adjunct and admin roles lead. Browse remote higher ed jobs.

Unique quirks in higher ed hiring?

Presidential searches take 18+ months; youngest tenured often in STEM at 35. Adjuncts gig-economy style nationwide.
2,630 Jobs Found
Featured

James Cook University

Cairns QLD, Australia
Academic / Faculty
Add this Job Post to Favorites
Closes: Jan 11, 2026

AcademicJobs.com

Sacramento, California, United States
Academic / Faculty
Add this Job Post to Favorites
Closes: Feb 27, 2026

AcademicJobs.com

Sacramento, California, United States
Academic / Faculty
Add this Job Post to Favorites
Closes: Feb 27, 2026

AcademicJobs.com

Stockton, California, United States
Academic / Faculty
Add this Job Post to Favorites
Closes: Feb 27, 2026
View More