University Professor
Impact: Intellectual
University Professors are postsecondary educators and researchers who teach academic and vocational subjects to undergraduate and graduate students. They conduct original research, publish scholarly articles, present at conferences, and mentor students. Their work involves developing curriculum, grading assignments, advising students, and participating in university committees. The role demands deep expertise in a specialized field, strong communication skills, and a commitment to advancing knowledge through research and teaching.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- Balanced
- Client facing
- Never
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- Moderate
- Schedule flexibility
- Flexible
- Remote work
- Hybrid
- Typical work hours
- 45-60
- Stress level
- High
At a glance
- Median salary
- $100,000
- Entry-level
- $65,000
- Senior
- $150,000
- Growth by 2033
- 6%
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- Low
- Salary growth potential
- High
- Typical student debt
- $80,000 - $150,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Research Methodology
- Data Analysis
- Subject Matter Expertise
Soft skills
- Critical Thinking
- Communication
- Problem Solving
Technical complexity: High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Doctoral or Professional Degree
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 8
- Years to senior
- 15
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Assistant Professor
- Associate Professor
- Full Professor
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- Low
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Stable
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 4/10
- Meaning
- 4/10
- Work-life balance
- 3.5/10
- Prestige
- 8.5/10
- Social perception
- Very High