| Usually the community college professor salary level | | | | their start at community colleges and then moved to |
| usually is lower than that for their sister state or private | | | | larger or more prestigious schools of higher learning. I |
| Universities. If you wish to make a career as a | | | | know several professors who started at a community |
| professor you should consider more than just the | | | | college and found it to be so comfortable that they |
| average salary that professors earn. There are | | | | remained there for their career. There are also many |
| several factors that should be considered before we | | | | professors who chose the community college route |
| reject out-of-hand the idea of being a professor for a | | | | because they wanted to teach and not to do |
| community college. These factors include the initial | | | | research. |
| salary, the maximum salary, how many years it takes | | | | A final consideration should be your ultimate goal. You |
| to achieve the maximum rate, the hiring difficulty factor, | | | | should only proceed after you have set for yourself a |
| expectations of you as a professor, the effort needed | | | | series of goals. Then you are able to determine if |
| to succeed, and the chances for advancement. | | | | teaching at a community college fits into the overall |
| You should determine the annual salary increment | | | | scheme. |
| even if the amount of money you can initially earn as a | | | | Starting salary should not be the main consideration |
| community college professor may be low. The rate of | | | | when deciding if you wish to teach at a community |
| increase to your income can more than make up for a | | | | college. Other factors to be considered include the initial |
| low initial salary. It becomes even more desirable if the | | | | salary, the maximum salary, how many years it takes |
| maximum amount paid is higher than normal. It is | | | | to achieve the maximum rate, the hiring difficulty factor, |
| interesting that most would-be professors focus on | | | | expectations of you as a professor, effort needed to |
| the initial salary and do not consider any other factors. | | | | succeed, and the chances for advancement. |
| As a rule, community colleges are not as demanding | | | | However, this should all be put within the context of |
| of a professor's time or have as high an expectation | | | | your written goals in order to assure your ultimate |
| as that for major universities. The community college is | | | | success. |
| primarily a teaching institution while most major | | | | Unfortunately, there are many problems that can stop |
| universities require their faculty to obtain external | | | | you from being successful starting out as a professor |
| funding, conducting research, and publishing their results. | | | | and barriers that can prevent you from making a |
| This is in addition to their teaching load. Many | | | | steady significant income. Fortunately, there is help for |
| professors tend to burn out at that pace. | | | | those who are serious about breaking-in and earning |
| Some people look at community colleges as a | | | | big money as a part-time professor teaching both |
| professional incubator. Many educators have gotten | | | | online and onground. |