What Does it Take to Be a Law Professor?
Example of Law Professor Job Teach courses in law. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Life As a Law Professor: What Do They Do?
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
- Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
- Evaluate and grade students’ class work, assignments, papers, and oral presentations.
- Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
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Skills Needed to be a Law Professor
Law Professors state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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.
Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Law Professor
- Law Professor
- College or University Faculty Member
- Legal Writing Professor
- Professor of Legal Studies
- Professor
Job Demand for Law Professors
There were about 21,200 jobs for Law Professor in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 12.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,600 new jobs for Law Professor by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,900 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Law Professor are Maryland, Wyoming, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Nebraska, Maine, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Law Professor Salary
The average yearly salary of a Law Professor ranges between $36,000 and $208,000.

Law Professors who work in Iowa, Georgia, or Minnesota, make the highest salaries.
How much do Law Professors make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $152,430 |
Arizona | $96,440 |
California | $136,920 |
Colorado | $135,310 |
District of Columbia | $125,900 |
Florida | $141,230 |
Georgia | $172,320 |
Illinois | $152,110 |
Iowa | $166,520 |
Maryland | $140,990 |
Massachusetts | $137,150 |
Michigan | $110,040 |
Minnesota | $159,460 |
Mississippi | $129,630 |
Missouri | $128,180 |
Montana | $85,210 |
New Jersey | $138,360 |
New York | $137,990 |
North Carolina | $149,470 |
Oregon | $81,230 |
Pennsylvania | $97,810 |
Tennessee | $124,300 |
Texas | $110,360 |
Utah | $160,920 |
Washington | $103,520 |
West Virginia | $66,760 |
Wisconsin | $114,030 |
What Tools do Law Professors Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Law Professors:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Microsoft Publisher
- Google Docs
- LexisNexis
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Blackboard Learn
- Learning management system LMS
- Desire2Learn
- Sakai CLE
- iParadigms Turnitin
- Collaborative editing software
- Course management system software
- DOC Cop
Becoming a Law Professor
Are there Law Professors education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become a Law Professor?

Where do Law Professors Work?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those thinking about becoming a Law Professor might also be interested in the following careers:
Those who work as a Law Professor sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Okan Г‡alД±Еџkan via CC0 Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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