At Pima Community College, our adjunct faculty members are an essential part of our teaching community. We value the expertise and dedication our adjunct instructors bring to the classroom, and we are committed to providing clear information about pay, workload expectations, and professional opportunities.

Load Hour Pay Structure

Faculty teaching credit-bearing courses  are paid based on the assigned Load Hours per course.  A load hour represents the amount of weekly work equivalent to one (1) contact hour of direct instruction plus one (1) hour of class-related activities (preparation, grading, etc.) per week for a 16-week class or an equivalent amount of work for an online or hybrid class.

Most typically the load hour matches the credit hour, but in some cases, such as courses with lecture lab components,  a course may be loaded higher than the credit hour.

In 2025, Pima pays new adjunct instructors $1,000 per load course hour.

One load hour is generally understood to equate to about 2.25 hours of work per week over a 16-week semester, though individual experiences may vary, particularly during an instructor’s first semesters when preparation time is greater.

Load Caps

Pima typically observes a 10.5 load hour guideline each semester for adjunct faculty.  This practice helps maintain part-time status and ensures compliance with regulations related to employee benefits.

Teaching a 10.5 load hour schedule would result in earnings of approximately $10,500 per semester.  Instructors teaching in fall, spring, and summer could potentially earn up to $31,500 per year, depending on course availability and individual load.

While many adjuncts do not reach the load maximum every semester due to enrollment and scheduling patterns, opportunities to teach additional courses do arise, and we encourage adjuncts to stay connected with department leadership to explore possibilities.

Protections for Class Cancellations

We are excited to share a new policy adopted in 2024.  If a course is canceled or reassigned within 10 days of the course start date a $150 stipend will be provided upon submission of the work completed.

This recognition of preparation time is an important step forward in supporting our adjunct faculty.

Pay Timing and Accuracy

Our goal is always to ensure that all employees  are paid accurately and on time.
At the beginning of each semester, the rapid pace of staffing changes can occasionally lead to initial discrepancies. If an adjunct notices an issue with pay, we encourage prompt communication with supervisors.
Pima’s Payroll team is committed to resolving any issues quickly, including issuing off-cycle payments when necessary.

We appreciate your patience and professionalism and are committed to making the process as smooth as possible.

The Employee Service Center (ESC) manages benefits, payroll, and our employee wellness program. For all payroll-related questions, contact the ESC by emailing ESC@pima.edu or calling (520)206-4595.

Additional Paid Opportunities

Pima Community College provides supplemental compensation for adjunct faculty who take on significant additional responsibilities.

For more information, please view this handout from All Employee Representative Council (AERC) Paid opportunities for Adjunct Faculty

Understanding Intermittent Scheduling

Course availability can vary by semester based on enrollment trends and departmental needs.
While some disciplines see consistent or even increased demand, others may experience fluctuations.  Department chairs and program managers work hard to advocate for adjunct teaching opportunities and to staff courses fairly.

Adjuncts who remain engaged and flexible often find opportunities to maintain a steady teaching presence, and we encourage open dialogue with supervisors about future planning.

Two-Tiered Compensation Structure

In the Fall 2022 PCC implemented a two-tiered system for adjunct faculty that affects pay rates for contracted course assignments. Salary adjustments are based on length and/or load hours of service as well as completion of professional development over a three-year lookback period. Tier Two is a salary increase over the Tier One/Base Salary rate. Information is available below with details here (link):

* Base Salary is determined annually by the Governing Board. 2023-2024 Base Salary Rates: Tier One $945.00/credit hour; Tier Two $992.25/credit hour (Note: 5% increase from 2022-2023).

Pathways to Full-Time Opportunities

We recognize that many adjunct instructors aspire to full-time teaching positions. It might help to understand PCC’s process for full time faculty positions. Full time faculty positions typically become available only when a vacancy has occurred, such as a retirement or resignation.  Per policy, searches for full-time faculty are conducted through open, nationwide recruitments to ensure fairness and equity.

We are working to better support adjuncts in achieving their professional goals by offering:

• Interview Preparation Workshops
• Teaching Demonstration Support
• Mentorship Opportunities

Adjuncts are also encouraged to apply for a wide range of college positions, including staff roles that can allow continued adjunct teaching through overload assignments.

While securing a full-time faculty position remains competitive, the skills and experiences gained as a Pima adjunct can strengthen applications both within our college and when applying at other institutions.

Representation and Advocacy

Adjunct faculty at Pima are well-represented through the All-Employee Representative Council (AERC), with two dedicated adjunct representatives advocating for pay, working conditions, and professional development opportunities.

Adjuncts are invited to attend monthly Adjunct Meetings, hosted by our Adjunct Faculty Committee Chair and Representative to the Board of Governors, Sean Mendoza.
These meetings are an excellent forum to ask questions, raise concerns, hear from leadership, and contribute to ongoing improvements. For more information, visit Adjunct Faculty Committee Meetings

Adjuncts also have access to the AERC Portal to submit ideas, concerns, or feedback at any time:
Submit Feedback to AERC