Average inflation-adjusted salaries for full-time instructional faculty in colleges and universities were 20 percent higher in 2006–07 than in 1979–80; however, recent increases have been relatively small (1 percent between 1999–2000 and 2006–07).

The average salary for full-time instructional faculty in colleges and universities increased by 20 percent overall between 1979–80 and 2006–07 after adjusting for inflation (see table 42-1). Average salaries were higher in 2006–07 than in 1979–80 for faculty with academic ranks.¹ The increase was greatest for instructors, whose average salary increased by 38 percent, followed by that for professors, whose average salary increased by 26 percent. The average salary increased at all types of institutions as well, ranging from a low of 8 percent at public 2-year colleges to a high of 37 percent at private doctoral universities. In 2006–07, the average faculty salary was $69,500, with institutional averages ranging from $41,800 at private 2-year colleges to $91,300 at private doctoral universities.

Much of the growth in faculty salaries between 1979–80 and 2006–07 occurred during the earlier years. After increasing by 14 percent during the 1980s and 4 percent during the 1990s, average salaries for faculty increased by 1 percent between 1999–2000 and 2006–07 after adjusting for inflation. Between 1999–2000 and 2006–07, faculty salaries increased by less than 1 percent at public doctoral universities and private master’s degree universities, and decreased by 2 percent at public master’s degree universities and by 1 percent at public 2-year colleges. Faculty salaries increased by an average of 2 percent at private doctoral universities and private (nonuniversity) 4-year colleges. Although faculty salaries increased by 16 percent at public (nonuniversity) 4-year colleges and by 4 percent at private 2-year colleges, these institutions together employed less than 5 percent of postsecondary faculty.

Fringe benefits for faculty (adjusted for inflation) have increased by a higher percentage than salaries since 1979–80 (69 vs. 20 percent). In contrast to the generally small changes in faculty salaries between 1999–2000 and 2006–07, fringe benefits rose substantially among most types of institutions. Overall, average fringe benefits for faculty increased 17 percent between 1999–2000 and 2006–07, compared with 1 percent for average salaries after adjusting for inflation. The percentage of faculty compensation received in the form of benefits rose from 16 percent in 1979–80 to 21 percent in 2006–07.

¹ Academic ranks include professor, associate professor, assistant professor, and lecturer. About 8 percent of faculty in 2006–07 did not have an academic rank. (back to text)