Best Paying Online Adjunct Professor Jobs

The digital age has revolutionized education, leading to an increase in online learning opportunities. This has, in turn, created a demand for online adjunct professors across various disciplines. Online adjunct professor roles offer flexibility, the opportunity to work from anywhere, and the chance to impact students’ lives globally. In this blog, we’ll explore the top ten best-paying online adjunct professor jobs, delving into job titles, average salaries, descriptions, responsibilities, and required education where applicable.

Business Administration Adjunct Professor

• Average Salary: $60,000 – $70,000 per year
• Job Description: Teach online courses in business administration, covering topics such as management, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
• Responsibilities: Develop and deliver engaging online lectures, grade assignments, provide feedback, and support student learning.
• Required Education: Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) or a related field; a Doctorate may be preferred for certain courses.

Nursing Adjunct Professor

• Average Salary: $65,000 – $75,000 per year
• Job Description: Instruct online nursing courses, focusing on areas such as clinical practices, healthcare policy, and patient care ethics.
• Responsibilities: Create course materials, engage students in discussion forums, assess student performance, and stay updated with nursing best practices.
• Required Education: Master’s in Nursing (MSN) required; a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) or PhD in Nursing may be necessary for some programs.

Computer Science Adjunct Professor

• Average Salary: $70,000 – $80,000 per year
• Job Description: Teach computer science courses online, covering programming, data structures, algorithms, and software development.
• Responsibilities: Prepare lectures, assignments, and exams; provide timely feedback; and encourage collaboration among students.
• Required Education: Master’s or PhD in Computer Science or a closely related field.

Psychology Adjunct Professor

• Average Salary: $55,000 – $65,000 per year
• Job Description: Offer courses in psychology, including developmental, clinical, cognitive, and social psychology.
• Responsibilities: Design and deliver course content, facilitate discussions, support student research projects, and evaluate student progress.
• Required Education: Master’s in Psychology; a PhD or PsyD is often preferred.

Education Technology Adjunct Professor

• Average Salary: $60,000 – $70,000 per year
• Job Description: Teach courses on integrating technology into educational settings, instructional design, and digital learning tools.
• Responsibilities: Develop online learning modules, guide students through technology adoption in education, and assess learning outcomes.
• Required Education: Master’s in Educational Technology, Instructional Design, or a related field; PhD may be preferred.

Engineering Adjunct Professor

• Average Salary: $65,000 – $75,000 per year
• Job Description: Provide instruction in various engineering disciplines, such as civil, mechanical, electrical, or chemical engineering, through online platforms.
• Responsibilities: Prepare and deliver technical content, assist students with projects, and provide feedback on assignments.
• Required Education: Master’s degree in Engineering; a PhD is often required for specialized courses.

Environmental Science Adjunct Professor

• Average Salary: $58,000 – $68,000 per year
• Job Description: Teach online courses in environmental science, covering sustainability, conservation, ecology, and environmental policy.
• Responsibilities: Design curriculum, engage students in virtual labs and discussions, and evaluate student work.
• Required Education: Master’s in Environmental Science or a related field; PhD may be preferred for advanced courses.

Accounting Adjunct Professor

• Average Salary: $62,000 – $72,000 per year
• Job Description: Instruct students in accounting principles, financial reporting, taxation, and auditing through online courses.
• Responsibilities: Create instructional materials, provide feedback on assignments, and support students in understanding complex accounting topics.
• Required Education: Master’s in Accounting or a related field such as Finance; CPA certification can be an added advantage.

Criminal Justice Adjunct Professor

• Average Salary: $57,000 – $67,000 per year
• Job Description: Teach courses related to criminal justice, law enforcement, criminology, and the legal system in an online format.
• Responsibilities: Develop course content, facilitate class discussions, provide expertise in the field, and assess student learning.
• Required Education: Master’s degree in Criminal Justice, Criminology, or a related field; a Juris Doctor (JD) or PhD may enhance job prospects.

Humanities Adjunct Professor

• Average Salary: $50,000 – $60,000 per year
• Job Description: Offer courses in various humanities disciplines such as history, philosophy, literature, and cultural studies in an online setting.
• Responsibilities: Prepare engaging content, lead discussions, encourage critical thinking, and evaluate essays and projects.
• Required Education: Master’s degree in a relevant humanities discipline; a PhD is often preferred for specialized subjects.

Final Thoughts

The realm of online education continues to expand, offering numerous opportunities for adjunct professors across various disciplines. The roles highlighted above represent some of the best-paying positions in the field, each with its unique set of responsibilities and educational requirements. As the demand for online education grows, so does the need for qualified, passionate educators ready to embrace the flexibility and challenges of teaching in a digital environment.

Sources

• https://www.payscale.com
• https://www.glassdoor.com
• https://www.bls.gov

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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