Behind the Scenes: The Real Work of Professors

Is it accurate to assume that a professor who teaches only 1-2 classes per semester typically works 6-10 hours per week and gets paid $150,000 per year?

Just about every statement in this question is incorrect. The reality of a professor's work is much more complex and time-consuming than what one might initially perceive.

Teaching Load

The average teaching load for professors in the United States is much higher than the 1-2 classes per semester proposed in the question. Only senior, tenured professors at research universities might have a lighter teaching load, which is probably less than 5% of all professors. This means that for most professors, teaching more than just a couple of classes in a semester is the norm.

Teaching outside the Classroom: Teaching is not limited to mere classroom activities. It involves extensive planning, grading, and preparation. An hour of lecture time typically requires 3-5 hours of preparation and grading. Some courses or new teaching experiences may require even more time.

Office Hours and Correspondence: Professors must also be available for office hours and respond to emails, which adds to their weekly workload. These responsibilities are often underestimated in discussions about the working hours of professors.

Professor Pay

Paying Out $150,000 per Year: Not every professor is paid at such a high salary. Tenured professors at top universities might earn this, but it is not the norm. In fact, in the author's department, only 2 out of 30 professors earned this much. The average professor, especially those at a lower or mid-level university, or in a less prestigious department, often earns significantly less.

Common Salaries: Non-tenured professors and adjuncts typically earn much less. Adjunct pay is often closer to $20,000 per year, with no benefits. Junior tenure track positions usually start around $50,000 to $75,000, and there have been cases as low as $38,000.

Graduate Students’ Contributions

Myth: Graduate Students Do All the Work: The question also assumes that graduate students do all the work, from writing grants to conducting research. However, this is far from the truth. Graduate students do not perform all these tasks and often work under the supervision and guidance of professors.

Research and Paper Writing: Professors are responsible for writing grants, publishing papers, and staying updated with the latest research in their field. Graduate students sometimes assist in these tasks, but they do not shoulder the entire burden.

Administrative and Outreach Work: Professors are also involved in administrative tasks, committee work, outreach, and mentoring. These tasks typically account for about 20% of their work load.

Managerial and Mentorship Roles

Managerial Responsibilities: Professors often play the role of managers, supervising the work of graduate students, postdocs, and other researchers. Their role goes beyond just teaching; they are the primary mentors and guides for their students and teams.

Time Commitment: Even if you only see a professor for a few hours in the classroom, the amount of work they do is immeasurable. The time they invest in preparation, grading, and mentoring is substantial and not easily visible to students.

Salary Expectations: This question also highlights the misunderstanding of what a professor's salary should be. People often compare it to industry salaries, forgetting that a PhD represents 10-20 years of education and experience. The pay should reflect the extensive education and years of experience.

Professors do more than just stand in the classroom. Their work is complex, time-consuming, and vital to the academic and research world. Just because their presence in the classroom is limited does not mean their impact is minimal.