What Does it Take to Be a Computer Science Professor?
Job Description & Duties Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
List of Computer Science Professor Job Duties
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Direct research of other teachers or of graduate students working for advanced academic degrees.
- Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as programming, data structures, and software design.
- Evaluate and grade students’ class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Computer Science Professor?
Below is a list of the skills most Computer Science Professors say are important on the job.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Types of Computer Science Professor
- Academic Computing Director
- Faculty Member
- Instructor
- Professor
- Information Technology Instructor (IT Instructor)
Are There Job Opportunities for Computer Science Professors?
In the United States, there were 39,700 jobs for Computer Science Professor in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,200 new jobs for Computer Science Professor by 2026. There will be an estimated 3,400 positions for Computer Science Professor per year.

The states with the most job growth for Computer Science Professor are Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Illinois, Wyoming, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Computer Science Professor Average Salary
Computer Science Professors make between $41,820 and $166,710 a year.

Computer Science Professors who work in California, Rhode Island, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Computer Science Professors in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $92,930 |
Arizona | $98,630 |
Arkansas | $69,480 |
California | $140,720 |
Colorado | $84,260 |
Connecticut | $88,900 |
Delaware | $92,530 |
District of Columbia | $123,250 |
Florida | $78,370 |
Georgia | $85,080 |
Hawaii | $86,420 |
Idaho | $100,110 |
Illinois | $83,270 |
Iowa | $100,060 |
Kansas | $75,130 |
Kentucky | $80,390 |
Louisiana | $95,480 |
Maine | $78,550 |
Maryland | $107,350 |
Massachusetts | $106,670 |
Michigan | $98,450 |
Minnesota | $93,230 |
Mississippi | $80,790 |
Missouri | $88,260 |
Montana | $69,970 |
Nebraska | $87,480 |
Nevada | $70,010 |
New Hampshire | $102,210 |
New Jersey | $105,890 |
New Mexico | $77,460 |
New York | $105,860 |
North Carolina | $72,320 |
North Dakota | $91,200 |
Ohio | $112,390 |
Oklahoma | $68,990 |
Oregon | $100,170 |
Pennsylvania | $105,900 |
Rhode Island | $127,430 |
South Carolina | $76,950 |
South Dakota | $74,270 |
Tennessee | $81,980 |
Texas | $92,350 |
Utah | $105,560 |
Virginia | $90,880 |
Washington | $79,880 |
West Virginia | $61,990 |
Wisconsin | $93,760 |
Wyoming | $75,900 |
What Tools do Computer Science Professors Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Computer Science Professors may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Python
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Database software
- Linux
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Google Docs
- UNIX
- PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor
- C
- Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
How to Become a Computer Science Professor
Education needed to be a Computer Science Professor:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Computer Science Professors?

Computer Science Professors work in the following industries:

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Computer Science Professor may also be interested in:
- Anthropologists
- Sociology Professors
- Architecture Professors
- Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Professors
References:
Image Credit: U.S. Army graphic via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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