Difference Between a Teacher and a Professor

Educators help students learn and grow, empowering them with the skills, tools, and knowledge they need to succeed in the workforce. Many people fondly remember how their favorite teacher or professor impacted their life. If you're considering a career in education, you may wonder whether your skills and preferences are better suited for teaching younger students or adults. While K–12 teachers and college professors both play essential roles in educating and inspiring students, their specific responsibilities differ significantly. Continue reading to explore the duties, educational qualifications, job outlooks, and salary expectations for these two education career paths. 

What Is a Professor? 

Also known as postsecondary teachers or lecturers, professors instruct students at the university level. These highly trained educators typically specialize in a specific academic subject or field such as business, healthcare, or technology. Most colleges employ assistant professors, associate professors, and senior professors. Each of these roles involves unique responsibilities and expectations. 

What Is a Teacher? 

Teachers instruct younger students, typically those in kindergarten through high school. They focus on foundational subjects that prepare students for college or the workforce. Some teachers specialize in specific areas such as math, English, history, music, art, or special education. They create lesson plans, instruct students, manage classroom behavior, and foster ongoing curiosity and intellectual growth. 

What Is the Difference Between Teachers and Professors? 

Teachers and professors empower and equip students for productive futures. While these education professionals share the same ultimate goal, their job duties and teaching methods vary. Professors are responsible not only for instructing students but also for conducting research, writing and publishing academic studies or articles. They deliver lessons through lectures, presentations, discussions, and interactive activities. Because their students are older, professors expect high personal accountability, encouraging students to take charge of their education through in-depth explorations of diverse subjects. Professors typically have a doctorate degree and significant job experience. 

Teachers also guide and educate students, but they take a more hands-on approach. Younger students typically require more direct instruction and support as they complete assignments. Teachers usually focus exclusively on classroom instruction. While they may conduct research to better understand the subject matter and stay up to date on teaching methods, they aren’t expected to conduct formal research or publish academic papers. Teachers typically have a bachelor’s or master’s degree. 

Professor Job Responsibilities  

While K–12 teachers may educate students on a range of topics, college instructors typically concentrate on a narrower field of study. They use their expertise to help students prepare for specific career paths. Professors’ typical day-to-day responsibilities include: 

• Creating curricula for their courses 
• Collaborating with other professors 
• Performing academic research and writing papers 
• Delivering course material and lectures to students 
• Creating assignments, tests, and classroom activities  
• Grading tests and assignments 
• Mentoring teaching assistants and junior lecturers

Teacher Job Responsibilities

K–12 teachers help students build a strong educational foundation that positions them for success personally and professionally. Elementary teachers help students learn to read, write, and think critically about the world around them. Middle school and high school teachers build on this initial instruction, helping students become lifelong learners. While specific day-to-day responsibilities vary based on grade level and subject, teachers typically perform the following duties:  

• Building lesson plans 
• Overseeing classroom assignments, tests, and activities 
• Grading tests and assessments 
• Delivering in-person instruction 
• Providing one-on-one support to students  
• Communicating with parents or guardians 
• Collaborating closely with other teachers in their grade or subject
• Preparing students for standardized tests 
• Adjusting teaching strategies to meet students’ unique needs
• Participating in ongoing professional development

Differences in Work Environments

Professors and K–12 teachers instruct students, provide guidance and direction, and instill curiosity. They help students become independent thinkers who will excel in life. While these roles are similar in many ways, the work environments for teachers and professors vary significantly. When deciding between a K–12 or college teaching position, it’s important to weigh the differences in educational pathways, work settings, schedules, employment benefits, and flexibility.

Work Environment for Professors 

Unlike K–12 teachers, college professors often use multiple classrooms. For example, they may teach an introductory course in a large lecture hall and then move to a smaller classroom to instruct a group of graduate students. Their class sizes can vary from fewer than 15 to more than 50 students. Professors usually have a dedicated office space to conduct administrative duties or meet with students one-on-one. They often have access to graduate assistants who help them with grading and student instruction. 

While professors also enjoy paid holidays and breaks, their work schedule can be less predictable than a K–12 schedule. The number of courses they teach can vary from day to day. Professors also spend a significant amount of their time on independent research projects, which they may work on outside of typical work hours. Senior professors often take sabbatical leave, a long-term break during which they pursue various personal or professional ambitions. College professors typically report to department chairs, who report to the university's academic dean. They mentor graduate students, helping them learn and grow through hands-on practice.

One of the most significant benefits of being a college professor is the opportunity to earn academic tenure. When a professor has tenure, they’re no longer confined to short-term contracts or probationary periods. Instead, they have a permanent position at a college or university. Unless a tenured professor fails to meet the academic standards or engages in significant misconduct, their job is secure. Tenured professors are not under the same level of scrutiny as non-tenured professors. This means that they can enjoy greater freedom and autonomy. In addition to job protection, tenure is a hard-earned professional accomplishment that carries significant honor and prestige.

Work Environment for Teachers

Teachers often have their own designated classrooms. They’re free to supply their classrooms with specific items and decorate them according to their style and personality. Their classroom is typically both their office and a space for educating students. In a K–12 environment, the average classroom contains approximately 19 students, but this number can vary based on subject matter, age, and the students’ needs. Teachers often have a reasonably consistent work schedule that includes paid holidays and summer breaks. Many entry-level teachers work under the supervision of department chairs. These leaders usually have at least several years of experience and a master’s degree in education. Teachers in a K–12 environment report directly to their school’s principal. They typically have year-long contracts that are renewed annually based on work performance. 

Teachers enjoy regular work hours and scheduled breaks. With a few exceptions, teachers are generally not required to work on evenings or weekends. However, studies show that teachers often work additional off-the-clock hours to keep up with grading, lesson planning, and parent communication, making work-life balance a consistent challenge for many. 

Differences in Education, Certifications, and Training 

In addition to differences already mentioned, the educational requirements for professors and teachers vary significantly. The minimum educational requirement for teachers is typically a bachelor’s degree. However, college professors are usually expected to have a doctorate degree. 

Education and Certification Requirements for Professors

Senior-level or full professors typically need a doctoral degree. However, some universities and community colleges only require master’s degrees for lower-level teaching positions. To become a full professor, a student will need to earn a bachelor’s degree, then a master’s degree, and then a doctoral degree. Some students can skip a master’s degree, but for many doctoral programs, a master’s degree is required. Doctoral students write a doctoral dissertation and spend years completing their program.  

Professors often become subject matter experts by specializing in a niche area, such as organic chemistry or European history. If you want to become a college professor, the first step is earning a bachelor’s degree. WGU offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees for students who are ready to embark on this career path.

Education and Certification Requirements for Teachers

The process of becoming a teacher can vary from state to state. Most teachers begin their professional journeys by earning a bachelor’s degree in education. While not required, a master’s degree can be extremely beneficial. By earning a master’s, teachers can unlock a range of career opportunities, including higher-level positions with greater pay. Teachers with a master’s degree in education often have a significant competitive edge compared to teachers with just a bachelor’s degree. 

In addition to a degree, teachers must also earn a teaching license or certification. Each state has unique requirements for teacher licensure. While specifics can vary, the path to becoming a teacher usually includes the following: 

• First, prospective teachers earn an education degree that prepares them for the type of licensure they’re pursuing. For example, if they want to teach middle school math, they need a degree program that prepares them for that licensure. If they want to teach elementary students or special education, there are unique degree programs for those specialties. 
• Next, individuals pursuing a teaching job will complete a student teaching program. This allows them to apply what they’ve learned in a classroom setting under the supervision of an experienced teacher. 
• To gain licensure, prospective teachers must pass a certification test and meet other state-specific requirements. This usually involves submitting college transcripts to the state and passing a criminal background check.

If you’re interested in becoming a teacher, WGU has many degree options that will prepare you to pass the certification test and gain licensure. 

Salaries for Teachers Versus Professors  

College professors’ salaries vary depending on position, location, experience, and education. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the following median salaries for professors:

Salaries for K–12 teachers also vary depending on their geographic location, experience, education, and the type of educational institution. The BLS reports the following median salaries for teachers:

The National Education Association (NEA) reports that the average salary for first-year teachers with a master’s degree is 8.2% greater than the average salary for a first-year teacher with a bachelor’s degree. Earning a master’s degree opens doors to specialized positions and higher wages. As the professional standards for teachers rise, many schools prefer or require teachers with a master’s degree.  

Career Outlook for Teachers and Professors 

According to the BLS, the employment of high school, middle school, and elementary teachers from 2023 to 2033 will decrease by 1%. Despite this slight decline, there are projected to be 64,000 openings for high school teachers, 41,400 openings for middle school teachers, and 106,500 openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers each year throughout the decade. Factors contributing to the decline in teaching jobs include slower hiring practices and a decrease in teacher shortages. The job market for teachers varies significantly based on location, subject, institution, and several other factors. 

Postsecondary teachers, including college professors and lecturers, have a more favorable job outlook. According to the BLS, the employment of teachers beyond the high school level will grow by 8% from 2023 to 2033. This is much faster than the national average for all occupations. As the demand for skilled workers rises, there is also an increased need for college professors who can equip students with the expertise they need to succeed in the workforce. 

Enhance Your Career Prospects with a Teaching Degree from WGU

Whether you’re interested in becoming a K–12 teacher or a college professor, a degree from WGU can help you achieve your goal. WGU offers a variety of education degree programs, including bachelor’s degrees in elementary education, middle school education, secondary education, and special education. We also offer master’s degrees in several fields, including elementary, middle school, and secondary education as well as curriculum and instruction, educational leadership, and education technology and instructional design. Start your path to a rewarding teaching career by applying today.