Toll Free 1-877-644-9992
Educator, Instructor, Lecturer, Professor, Research Scientist
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $38.30 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $50.63 |
| Top | $56.50 |
Interest in synthesizing information to advance existing knowledge and develop new theories in specialized fields of study by conducting research; in publishing findings in scholarly journals and books, developing curricula and in preparing examinations, laboratory assignments and reports
Interest in advising on research matters and directing research programs of graduate students, in advising students on course and academic matters and career decisions, and in administering and grading examinations, laboratory assignments and reports; may serve on faculty committees dealing with matters such as curriculum planning and degree requirements and perform a variety of administrative duties
Interest in instructing undergraduate and graduate students; may provide consulting services to government, industry and private individuals; may represent their universities as speakers and guest lecturers
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
University professors are scholars and educators recognized for their teaching and research, as well as their creative or professional practice. They are evaluated regularly on their performance and output. University professor duties vary, but in general, they:
Professors also may have other duties. For example, they may advise students about academic requirements and options. Or they may serve as peer evaluators for research outside of their own institution.
Depending on their field of study, professors work in offices, laboratories, studios, libraries or classrooms, or in the field. A professor may teach large classes, work with small groups in seminars and tutorials, or advise students one-on-one. They also may work with a wide range of academic and non-academic groups.
Professors work long hours when classes are in session, as teaching and supervision require a lot of time. They must be productive in their research or professional activities. They also must serve their departments, institutions, academic field and communities. Typically, universities grant professors research and study leaves (sabbaticals) to assist in their research or practice.
University professors need:
They should enjoy finding innovative ways to prepare teaching materials. They also should enjoy supervising students, evaluating their progress and helping others.
Almost all university professors have doctoral degrees. They usually hold 2 or more advanced degrees beyond the bachelor’s level, often obtained with distinction. They often have made outstanding and innovative contributions in their fields of study.
Students hoping to become university professors should have records of academic excellence throughout high school, undergraduate and graduate programs (often honours programs). Most professors start as assistant professors. So by the time they become professors, they usually have work experience in their fields.
They also need to have a strong record of research and publishing.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Becoming a university professor can involve years of study and experience in a chosen field. Graduates often must move from one post-secondary school to another to find permanent employment.
Assistant professors, associate professors and full professors have similar duties. But they have different amounts of experience and achievement, prestige and responsibility. A professor typically begins as an assistant. Within 3 to 5 years of full-time work, they are considered for tenure (permanent status). This means they have shown their potential to have a long and productive career. Their promotion to associate or full professorship involves a rigorous review of their accomplishments. This will be conducted by peers within the department and university, as well as outside the university.
With experience, university professors may:
In Alberta, most people employed as university professors work in the Educational Services [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the E111: University Professors occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.4% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 78 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Funding for some areas of research over others heavily influences employment for university professors. For example, if funders consider one area of research, such as environmental science, more essential to public knowledge than others, they will provide more funding for research in this area. This means more positions for university professors.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries for entry-level university positions vary with:
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $0.00 | $0.00 | $38.30 | $36.96 |
| Overall | $0.00 | $0.00 | $50.63 | $54.72 |
| Top | $0.00 | $0.00 | $56.50 | $59.83 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Lowest Reliability, represents a CV of more than 33.00% and/or if fewer than 10 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 25% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $84,845 |
|---|---|
| Educational Services | $84,280 |
Association of Academic Staff University of Alberta (AASUA) website: www.aasua.ca
Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) website: www.caut.ca
Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations (CAFA) website: www.ualberta.ca/CAFA
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.