The objective of this research was to know the functional relationship between the work environment and the burnout syndrome in university professors from a public university in Peru. The sample consisted of 206 teachers; males (79.6%) and females (20.4%); appointed (80.1%) and hired (19.9%). The instruments used were: The Burnout Questionnaire for university teachers adapted by Arquero and Donoso from the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Palma Work Climate Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to verify validity and reliability. It was found that the level of the work environment was average (x- = 138.8 points); the teachers presented medium level burnout (x- = 115.8 points). Through the structural equations model, it was found that the supervisory factor of the work environment is related to the depersonalization dimension of burnout. Likewise, performing various paid jobs generates a higher level of burnout (p = 0.040). It is concluded that there is a negative and statistically significant relationship between the work environment and burnout. Likewise, the work environment predicts the levels of burnout syndrome (AGFI = 0.991) in university professors. The study suggests the implementation of occupational and organizational intervention programs.