What Do History Professor Do?
Career Description Teach courses in human history and historiography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
List of History Professor Job Duties
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
- Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
- Participate in campus and community events.
- Act as advisers to student organizations.
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Qualities of a History Professor
When polled, History Professors say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
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.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Related Job Titles
- Russian History Professor
- Faculty Member
- Adjunct History Instructor
- Professor
- Political Science Professor
History Professor Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 26,900 jobs for History Professor in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,800 new jobs for History Professor by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,400 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for History Professor are Utah, Colorado, and Delaware. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Wyoming, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
History Professor Salary
The typical yearly salary for History Professors is somewhere between $40,600 and $134,170.

History Professors who work in District of Columbia, California, or New Hampshire, make the highest salaries.
How much do History Professors make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $65,450 |
Arizona | $84,060 |
Arkansas | $82,070 |
California | $103,940 |
Colorado | $70,690 |
Connecticut | $83,870 |
Delaware | $80,860 |
District of Columbia | $120,400 |
Florida | $79,550 |
Georgia | $87,150 |
Hawaii | $69,440 |
Idaho | $94,150 |
Illinois | $85,090 |
Indiana | $83,760 |
Iowa | $86,690 |
Kansas | $75,440 |
Kentucky | $65,410 |
Louisiana | $71,360 |
Maine | $73,350 |
Maryland | $75,970 |
Massachusetts | $97,350 |
Michigan | $78,710 |
Minnesota | $80,920 |
Mississippi | $71,790 |
Missouri | $80,820 |
Montana | $66,970 |
Nebraska | $73,050 |
Nevada | $63,440 |
New Hampshire | $97,700 |
New Jersey | $91,270 |
New Mexico | $71,420 |
New York | $93,000 |
North Carolina | $72,800 |
North Dakota | $76,320 |
Ohio | $88,310 |
Oklahoma | $65,660 |
Oregon | $86,620 |
Pennsylvania | $93,300 |
Rhode Island | $109,240 |
South Carolina | $75,570 |
South Dakota | $68,250 |
Tennessee | $73,040 |
Texas | $82,360 |
Utah | $86,170 |
Virginia | $72,120 |
Washington | $71,280 |
West Virginia | $47,280 |
Wisconsin | $80,590 |
What Tools & Technology do History Professors Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many History Professors:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- JavaScript
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Database software
- Google Docs
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Learning management system LMS
- Blackboard Learn
- DOC Cop
- Course management system software
- Desire2Learn
- Sakai CLE
- Collaborative editing software
Becoming a History Professor
What education is needed to be a History Professor?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where History Professors Are Employed

Below are examples of industries where History Professors work:

Related Careers
Career changers with experience as a History Professor sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Abraham Ortelius via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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