Community College Professor Salary and Career Path

Community colleges play a pivotal role in our modern higher education system, providing accessible and affordable courses and degree paths to millions of students across the country. While much can be said about the benefits these institutions offer students, the advantages for professors who teach at community colleges are equally compelling. 

Teaching at a community college provides professionals with the opportunity to make a profound impact on students who may need extra support to succeed, such as nontraditional learners, first-generation college students, and those seeking a career change. The smaller class sizes of community colleges also allow for more personalized instruction and stronger connections with students, greatly facilitating the learning process. 

After exploring the role of a community college professor and what they do, we’ll examine their career path and the specific steps and educational qualifications that are required to qualify for the role. We’ll also provide recent community college professor salary data and job outlook projections. 
 

What Does a Community College Professor Do?

Community colleges offer a variety of degrees and courses, typically at the associate degree level, and often cater to local students from diverse educational backgrounds. The duties and responsibilities of professors who teach at these colleges include the following:

• Designing syllabuses, lesson plans, and course materials that meet educational standards
• Collaborating with colleagues to create and enhance academic programs and curricula
• Delivering lectures, leading class discussions, and facilitating interactive learning experiences
• Creating and grading exams, assignments, and projects to assess students’ understanding and progress
• Providing advisory support to help students select courses, plan their educational paths, and achieve their academic goals
• Holding regular office hours to offer additional support, answer questions, and address students’ concerns
• Staying current with developments in their field by attending conferences and workshops and pursuing further education
• Participating in community outreach programs and serving on committees to build partnerships and create opportunities for students 

Key Skills for Community College Professors

Community college professors must have subject matter expertise and relevant teaching competencies that help them convey essential information in classroom settings. The most in-demand skills for community college professors include the following:  

• Patience and empathy: Teachers must have the soft skills required to understand and address the diverse needs and challenges of community college students.
• Organizational skills: Professors must be highly organized to effectively manage their course materials, grading, and administrative tasks.
• Adaptability: Community college educators must have the flexibility to adjust their teaching methods and materials to meet the needs of different students.
• Critical thinking skills: Professors must be capable of using critical thinking to develop effective teaching strategies and solve problems.
• Technical proficiency: Teachers must know how to use educational technology and online teaching tools to enhance their students’ learning experience.
• Communication skills: Professors must have the ability to clearly and effectively convey complex information to a diverse body of students. 
   

How to Become a Professor at a Community College

Community college professors provide accessible, high-quality education to a diverse student body made up of individuals at all stages of life, from recent high school graduates to midcareer adults looking to learn new skills. Those who want to know how to become a community college professor can refer to this step-by-step guide to help them navigate the process. 

Choose an Area of Expertise and Earn an Advanced Degree

Before community college professors can teach, they must first become subject matter experts in a particular field. After choosing an area they are passionate about, candidates must earn an advanced degree. Most community colleges require professors to have at least a master’s degree. However, candidates can improve their job prospects by earning a doctorate, as higher profile community colleges tend to have more demanding degree requirements. 

Gain Relevant Experience

Candidates should gain practical experience in their field to bring real-world knowledge into the classroom. For example, a person who wants to teach in an early childhood program at a community college can get their start as a teacher’s assistant at an elementary school. Teacher’s assistants support lead teachers by working with students, arranging classroom activities, and helping with clerical work. Further, candidates can benefit by gaining teaching experience at different educational levels, such as at a high school, a technical school, or as an adjunct instructor at a community college. 

Earn Relevant Certifications

Depending on the subject and state, candidates may need to obtain teaching certification or licensure. Some fields require an additional professional certification (for example, nursing and engineering) to teach specific courses. Other professional certifications highlight to potential employers that the candidate demonstrates a certain level of skill and competency in their area of expertise. 

Apply for Teaching Positions

Candidates should prepare a strong application packet of materials, including a resume, cover letter, teaching philosophy statement, and any relevant certifications or professional references they have obtained. This level of preparation goes a long way when applying for open teaching positions at community colleges, as it illustrates to potential employers what the candidate brings to the college and the role. Moreover, a strong application packet of materials can potentially influence a community college professor’s salary. 
 

Community College Professor Salary and Job Outlook

With a continued emphasis on education and training in today’s job market, the career outlook for community college professors is bright. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), positions for postsecondary teachers are projected to grow 8% between 2022 and 2032, which is much faster than the projected growth of the job market as a whole. This represents an employment change of over 108,000 new teaching jobs.

The BLS reports that postsecondary teachers at local junior colleges had a median annual salary of $86,650 in 2023, while those teaching at state junior colleges had a median salary of $64,950. Factors such as their experience, education level, and location can affect a community college professor’s salary.
 

Educate Tomorrow’s Workforce as a Community College Professor

A career as a community college professor offers individuals the opportunity to make a significant impact on students’ lives while engaging in a fulfilling, dynamic profession. To excel in this role, developing deep expertise in your field is essential. Advanced degrees are often required, and those with a strong foundation in critical thinking, cultural awareness, and communication — skills honed in humanities disciplines — are particularly well-prepared to engage a diverse student body. Now that you’ve learned how to become a community college professor, choosing the right education path is crucial.

A program that enhances your subject matter expertise while offering flexibility can help you balance current responsibilities with your aspirations. You can start by evaluating degree programs that can help you develop into a future educator, such as the Master of Arts in Humanities program offered by the Tseng College at California State University, Northridge. This 20-month, fully online program teaches many of the skills and competencies required to become a successful professor, including creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and the adaptability needed in today’s ever-changing education environment.

Find out how CSUN can support your professional aspirations of becoming a community college professor capable of making a meaningful and lasting impact on a diverse student body.