Top 10 Universities Hiring Professors in 2026 (Highest Paying)

If you are looking for a faculty job, you want to know which universities are actively hiring and paying well. This list shows 10 universities with the most open professor positions in 2026, plus their average salaries. We include public and private, large and small. All data comes from the Chronicle of Higher Education and university job boards as of May 2026.

For each university, we also link to related articles to help you prepare your application. For general job search advice, start with How to Find Assistant Professor Vacancies in 2026.

1. University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin is hiring over 100 tenure-track professors in 2026 across all colleges. The university recently received a $1 billion endowment from the state for faculty expansion. Average assistant professor salary: $98,000. Associate: $118,000. Full: $165,000. They are especially looking for computer science, data science, and education faculty.

2. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

UCLA has 80 open positions in 2026. Salaries are high but so is the cost of living. Assistant professor average: $102,000. They have a strong need in public health, education, and engineering. UCLA is also very focused on diversity and inclusion, so your diversity statement matters a lot.

3. Arizona State University

ASU is the largest public university by enrollment, and they are always hiring. In 2026, they have 120 faculty searches. Assistant professor salary: $85,000 (lower than California but cost of living is lower too). ASU is known for innovation in online education. If you have experience with online teaching, highlight it. See Online Teaching Jobs for PhD Holders for tips.

4. University of Michigan

UMich is a top public research university with 90 open positions. Salaries are competitive: assistant professor average $95,000. They have strong programs in education, social work, and business. Michigan also has great benefits including full health coverage and 10% retirement match.

5. New York University (NYU)

NYU is hiring 60 tenure-track professors in 2026. Salaries are among the highest: assistant professor average $110,000. But NYC rent is expensive. NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education is a major hiring hub for education faculty. They value urban education research.

6. University of Florida

UF has grown rapidly in the last decade. In 2026, they have 70 open faculty positions. Assistant professor average: $88,000. They are part of the “Preeminence” program which invests heavily in new hires. No state income tax in Florida, so your take-home pay is higher.

7. Ohio State University

Ohio State has 85 open professor jobs. Assistant professor average: $90,000. They have a large college of education and human ecology. Columbus is affordable. OSU is also very supportive of interdisciplinary research. If your work crosses fields, mention that.

8. University of Washington

UW in Seattle has 65 open positions. Assistant professor average: $98,000. They are known for strong education, public policy, and health sciences. Seattle is expensive but beautiful. UW also has a strong faculty union that negotiates good raises.

9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

UNC Chapel Hill has 50 open tenure-track jobs. Assistant professor average: $92,000. They are part of the Research Triangle, which includes Duke and NC State. Many collaboration opportunities. They value community-engaged research, especially in education.

10. Stanford University

Stanford is private and elite. They only hire about 30 new professors per year, but the pay is extremely high. Assistant professor average: $130,000. Associate: $160,000. Full: $220,000+. But the pressure to publish and get grants is intense. Stanford’s Graduate School of Education is world-famous. If you are a superstar in education research, this could be your dream job. Read Associate Professor Requirements to see if you are ready.

How to Apply to These Universities

Each university has its own application system. Most use Interfolio or a custom portal. Do not just apply online. Network. Go to conferences like AERA (American Educational Research Association) and introduce yourself to faculty from these schools. Ask a question after their talk. Send a polite email. That personal connection can get your application read instead of ignored.

Also, tailor each application. For example, if you apply to ASU, emphasize online teaching. If you apply to NYU, emphasize urban education. Generic applications are deleted quickly.

What About Community Colleges?

Community colleges also need professors, especially in education, English, and math. They pay less (average $65k for assistant professor) but have lower research expectations. If you love teaching more than research, community colleges can be a great fit. Many have opened job postings for 2026 as well.

Final Words

The job market is strong in 2026. Universities are competing for talent, especially in high-demand fields like education technology, counseling, and educational psychology. Start your applications in August or September for jobs starting in Fall 2027. Good luck.

For more on salaries at these universities, see PhD in Education Salary Guide.