How about that Adjunct Teaching Salary?

Question:

I am wondering about salaries. I am in the MA program w/spec. College Teaching. What do part time college teachers get paid? Is there a general amount per class for non-tenure staff at places like Santa Barbara City College, Antioch, Chapman, Univ. La Verne or online? I am wondering and so far the only answer I get is, "Oh college teachers at the MA level hardly make anything."

-Danielle M.

Reply:

Hi Danielle,

Good question! The quick answer: $40 - $60 / hour (starting salary) depending on which school you work for, what class you teach and your education/work experience. The pay range can be as high as $80/hr. with a Ph.D.

The reason why you are getting responses like, "Oh college teachers at the MA level hardly make anything.", is because usually working as a part-time adjunct, you may only get one or two classes to teach per semester with no job security for future semesters. Some adjuncts teach at two or three colleges in order to make the equivalent of a full-time salary. Also, keep in mind that adjuncts usually do not get paid health benefits.

If you want to know specifically what the salary is at a particular school, most community colleges post their pay scale information on their H.R. department website. For example, Santa Barbara Community College faculty pay scale is located at: http://www.sbcc.edu/hr/index.php?sec=2485 .

However, it's not all bad. Some adjuncts have teaching contracts, so they have more job security. Also, starting off as a part-time adjunct may help open doors for full-time tenure positions in the future.

Check out this online article from the Chronicle of Higher Education about Adjunct Teaching Salaries: http://chronicle.com/wiredcampus/index.php?id=1986 .

If anyone wants to share their experience with adjunct teaching, post a comment.

Hope that helps!

- Jessica

More Quick Resume Tips

1. Tailor your resume

In this competitive job market, generic resumes are usually not enough to impress an employer. Always take the time to review your resume and modify it to best highlight the skills and experience that qualify you for the particular job to which you are applying. It is likely that you may apply to different types of jobs in the same career field. However, just because jobs are related doesn't mean that they are the same. So, for example, the resume that you submitted for the Child Care Coordinator postion should have a different focus than the resume you submit for the Parent Educator position.

2. Use Key words

One way to tailor your resume is to use key words. Pay attention to the key words that are used in the job announcement and then try to include them in your resume. This helps to make the employer feel like you are a natural fit for the position.

3. Remove all I statements

Resume style writing is unique in the fact that pronouns are not used. "I", "me", "my" etc. should be completely omitted from your sentences. For example, instead of "I established curriculum guidelines for our class" change it to, "Established curriculum guidelines for the class". Removing I statements helps to make your resume sound professional.

Stay tuned for more resume tips! - Jessica