41200 – University professors and lecturers
Lead statement
University professors and lecturers teach courses to undergraduate and graduate students and conduct research at universities. University professors who are heads of departments are included in this unit group.
Main duties
- Teach one or more university subjects to undergraduate and graduate students
- Prepare and deliver lectures to students and conduct laboratory sessions or discussion groups
- Prepare, administer and grade examinations, laboratory assignments and reports
- Advise students on course and academic matters and career decisions
- Direct research programs of graduate students and advise on research matters
- Conduct research in field of specialization and publish findings in scholarly journals or books
- May serve on faculty committees dealing with such matters as curriculum planning and degree requirements, and perform a variety of administrative duties
- May represent their universities as speakers and guest lecturers
- May provide professional consultative services to government, industry and private individuals.
Employment requirements
- A doctoral degree in the field of specialization is required for university professors.
- A master's degree in the field of specialization is required for university lecturers.
- Licences or professional certification may be required for professors teaching future practitioners in certain professionally regulated fields, such as medicine, engineering, architecture, psychology or law.
Example job titles
agriculture professor - university · anatomy professor - university · anthropology professor - university · archaeology professor - university · Asian studies professor - university · assistant professor - university · botany assistant professor - university · associate professor - university · astronomy professor - university · bacteriology professor - university · biochemistry professor - university · biology professor - university · biomechanics professor - university · botany professor - university · public administration professor - university · department head - university · university department head · food sciences department chairman/woman - university · food sciences department chairperson · food sciences department chairperson - university · physics department chairman/woman - university · physics department chairperson - university · chemical engineering professor - university · chemistry professor - university · civil engineering professor - university · classics professor - university · computer science professor - university · professor of computer science - university · professor of computer science · criminology professor - university · dentistry professor - university · geography department chairman/woman - university · geography department chairperson - university · drama professor - university · economics professor - university · education professor - university · electrical engineering professor - university · engineering and architecture professor - university · English professor - university · fine arts professor - university
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $30.46 | $58.89 | $92.31 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $34.76 | $57.69 | $79.67 |
| Nova Scotia | $22.00 | $50.26 | $80.77 |
| New Brunswick | $37.36 | $60.10 | $96.15 |
| Quebec | $27.00 | $61.15 | $85.90 |
| Ontario | $33.65 | $64.10 | $101.44 |
| Manitoba | $23.18 | $48.90 | $76.92 |
| Saskatchewan | $24.73 | $55.29 | $92.31 |
| Alberta | $26.92 | $62.17 | $89.42 |
| British Columbia | $32.69 | $55.81 | $87.02 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.