Common university jobs in United States span prestigious academic roles and essential support positions, employing over 4 million people in higher education as of 2023. From tenure-track professors shaping future leaders to administrative staff keeping campuses running, these careers offer stability, intellectual stimulation, and competitive benefits. Students dreaming of academia should pursue advanced degrees in fields like STEM, humanities, or education—check Rate My Professor reviews to gauge departments at top schools like those in the Ivy League. Aspiring faculty, review professor salaries varying by state and institution. Staff seekers find openings in booming regions like California or Texas. With trends like remote work rising post-COVID, now's the time to dive into higher ed jobs. Parents and job seekers, discover paths blending purpose and prestige. Explore higher ed career advice and land your role via AcademicJobs.com today!
| Job Title | Category | Median Salary (2023 BLS/AAUP) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjunct Professor | Academic | $35,000 (part-time) | Part-time instructors teaching courses, common at 70% of faculty positions. |
| Assistant Professor | Academic | $96,000 | Tenure-track role involving teaching, research, service. |
| Associate Professor | Academic | $122,000 | Mid-career tenure role with increased responsibilities. |
| Full Professor | Academic | $167,000 | Senior academic leaders in research and teaching. |
| Lecturer | Academic | $70,000 | Non-tenure teaching-focused positions. |
| Postdoctoral Researcher | Research | $57,000 | Temporary research roles post-PhD. |
| Research Assistant | Research | $42,000 | Supports labs and grants; student-friendly entry. |
| Administrative Assistant | Admin | $45,000 | Handles office tasks across departments. |
| Academic Advisor | Student Affairs | $52,000 | Guides students on courses and careers. |
| Admissions Counselor | Admin | $50,000 | Recruits and enrolls students. |
| Financial Aid Officer | Admin | $55,000 | Manages scholarships and loans. |
| Librarian | Library | $62,000 | Curates resources and supports research. |
| IT Support Specialist | IT | $60,000 | Maintains campus tech infrastructure. |
| Lab Technician | Research | $50,000 | Assists in science labs. |
| Facilities Manager | Operations | $70,000 | Oversees buildings and grounds. |
| HR Specialist | Admin | $65,000 | Recruits and manages personnel. |
| Student Activities Coordinator | Student Affairs | $48,000 | Plans campus events. |
| Athletic Coach | Athletics | $55,000 (avg; top $1M+) | Trains student-athletes; NCAA prominent. |
| Custodian | Operations | $40,000 | Maintains clean campuses. |
| Development Officer | Advancement | $75,000 | Fundraises for endowments. |
| Job Title | Median Salary (2023) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full Professor | $167,000 | Highest in private unis like Harvard ($240k+); see professor salaries. |
| Head Athletics Coach | $1,000,000+ | Football at SEC schools; Kirby Smart $13M UGA 2024. |
| Dean | $220,000 | Oversees colleges; higher at research unis. |
| Department Chair | $180,000 | Leads departments; admin stipend added. |
| Medical Professor | $250,000 | Clinical roles at med schools. |
| Law Professor | $190,000 | Top at Ivy League law schools. |
| Business Professor | $170,000 | MBA programs drive pay. |
| Engineering Professor | $150,000 | Research grants boost earnings. |
| Associate Professor | $122,000 | Tenured mid-level academic. |
| Facilities Director | $120,000 | Manages large campuses. |
Salaries from AAUP 2022-23 and BLS 2023; check university salaries for details.
Pursue tenure-track paths with a PhD. Use professor jobs listings and Rate My Professor for insights.
From postdocs to assistants, NSF-funded labs abound. Explore research jobs and research assistant jobs.
Entry-level with bachelor's. Find administration jobs and HR jobs.
Study education or STEM for prof roles; business for admin. Prep resumes with our free resume template.
Post-2020 surge in virtual advising. Browse remote higher ed jobs.
40% of students attend; adjunct-heavy. See community college jobs.
High demand in New York and California. Ivy prestige via Ivy League guide.
University jobs in the US blend rewarding impact with challenges like funding volatility, appealing to mission-driven professionals seeking long-term security amid evolving trends.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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The US higher ed landscape features tenure battles, where 25% of faculty fight for permanence amid adjunct dominance. NCAA sports create outlier million-dollar coach gigs—e.g., Alabama's past coaches earned $10M+ while lecturing minimally. Community colleges enroll 5.7M, prioritizing teaching over research. HBCUs like Howard offer culturally rich roles. Fringe: Tribal colleges in remote areas pay modestly but preserve heritage. Massive endowments ($838B total 2023) fund lavish perks at elites like Yale, but public unis in states like /us/florida face politicized hiring. Postdoc "permits" last 5 years max per visa quirks for internationals. Use Rate My Professor to vet quirky departments before applying.