Survey Shows that Non-Tenure Faculty See Higher Pay Raises than Tenure-Track Faculty

CUPA-HR’s 2017-18 Faculty in Higher Education Survey shows that higher education faculty that are off the tenure track are seeing larger pay increases than tenure-track counterparts.

While tenure-track faculty generally receive higher salaries than most non-tenure-track faculty, the results of this year’s Faculty in Higher Education Survey show that off-tenure-track faculty are seeing higher pay raises on an annual basis.  In addition to salary information, this survey also identifies demographic trends in higher education.  Here are some of the major findings from this survey.

One of the major findings from this year’s survey was that non-tenure-track faculty were seeing higher pay raises than faculty members who were on track for tenure.  While tenure-track faculties were seeing average pay raises of about 1.8%, non-tenure-track faculty were seeing average pay increases of about 2.0% across the board.

As additional salary information, the survey also finds that faculty in legal professions, business, and engineering have the highest salaries in both tenure-track and non-tenure teaching positions.  In non-tenure research positions, business, engineering, and public administration are the highest-paid disciplines.  Finally, the survey shows that more than two-thirds of department heads receive salary supplements, while just over three quarters are afforded course relief.

In regards to demographic trends, the survey finds that health professions and nursing received the most new faculty hires between 2017 and 2018.  Additionally, the survey reports that adjunct faculty members make up two-thirds of all faculty at associate’s institutions.  Doctoral institutions have the lowest adjunct-to-full-time faculty ratio, but they consistently pay their adjuncts more than any other type of institution.

These are some of the highlights from CUPA-HR’s 2017-18 Faculty in Higher Education Survey.  Looking for a consulting firm with experience working in higher education?  Then don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at McKnight Associates, Inc.  We are ready to offer you hands-on human resources consulting for colleges, universities, medical centers, and organizations of all sizes.