Cipolla obtained his first teaching post in economic history in Catania at the age of 27. This was to be the first stop in a long academic career in Italy (Venice, Turin, Pavia, Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa and Fiesole) and abroad.
Cipolla's initial teaching position in economic history at Catania was the first step in a long academic career that took him through several Italian universities and institutions (Venice, Turin, Pavia, Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, and Fiesole), and beyond.