Median Base Salaries for Professionals in Higher Ed

CUPA HR

The College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) recently released findings from its 2012-13 Professionals in Higher Education Salary Survey. The overall median base salary increase in 2012 for individuals in positions with primary assignments and responsibilities requiring professional-level expertise and work in specific functional areas was 2%. The increase in 2011 was also 2%. Similar to findings from CUPA-HR’s other salary surveys, increases were greater at private institutions than at public institutions (2.4% vs. 2.0%). This year’s findings reflect the salaries of 182,482 job incumbents in public and private institutions nationwide.          

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers [CPI-U] in 2012 was 2.1% higher than in 2011. As such, the median salary increase this year was a fraction less than inflation for all institutions combined and for public institutions, but better than inflation for private institutions.

Findings

Salary Increases by Carnegie Class: There was very little difference in median salary increases this year by Carnegie Class. The highest increase was 2.2% (for doctoral and associate’s institutions) and the lowest increase was 2.0% (for special focus and master’s institutions). Baccalaureate institutions saw a median increase of 2.1%

Salary Increases by Job Category: Athletic Affairs saw the largest median salary increase (2.5%), while all other job categories saw increases ranging from 2.0% to 2.3%. Job categories in this year’s survey include Academic Affairs; Student Affairs; Athletic Affairs; Institutional Affairs; Fiscal Affairs; External Affairs; Facilities; Information Technology; Research Professionals; Extension Programs and Technology Transfer; and Health Sciences and Environmental Sustainability.

Median increases by job category ranged from 1.7% (Health Sciences and Environmental Sustainability) to 2.2% (Athletic Affairs) at public institutions, and from 2.1% (Student Affairs) to 2.7% (Institutional Affairs) at private institutions. Increases for all job categories were higher at private institutions than at publics. While the job categories are not the same as last year, the size of the gaps this year is generally smaller than in years past.

Highest and Lowest Median Salaries

Among positions surveyed (excluding coaches), for all institutions combined, the highest paid position was that of Staff Physician ($137,864), followed by Staff Attorney; Veterinarian; Head of Executive Education; Pharmacist; Head of Campus Museum; and Head of the College/University Press. The lowest paid position was that of Student Residence Hall Manager – room and board included ($30,902), followed by Student Admissions Counselor; Academic Evaluator; Student Residence Hall Manager – room and board not included; Head Cashier; Student Financial Aid Counselor; and Medical Sciences Research Assistant. 

Visit the CUPA-HR website to read the full Executive Summary, view select data, or order survey results.

Survey Participants

This year’s survey was completed by 1,109 higher education institutions. Public institutions comprise 46% (506) and private institutions comprise 54% (603) of the respondents. The responding private institutions include fewer religiously affiliated (272) than non-religious (independent and for-profit) institutions (331).

In terms of classification, Master’s colleges and universities is the largest group of participants at 31.2% (346), with private institutions making up more than half of this group (19.2% vs. 12%). Baccalaureate colleges comprise 24.3% (270) of the respondents, most of which are private. Doctorate-granting institutions make up 20.5% (227) of the respondents, two-thirds of which are public. Associate’s colleges represent 14.2% (157) of the respondents, and almost all are public. Special Focus institutions (which include system offices) is the smallest segment of respondents at 9.8% (109). 

About the Survey

The Professionals in Higher Education Salary Survey, which replaces the Mid-Level Administrative and Professional Salary Survey, has been redesigned to more clearly reflect positions with primary assignments and responsibilities requiring professional-level expertise and work in a specific functional area, such as academic or student services, facilities management, human resources, information technology, athletics, research and other fields.

The positions covered in the survey include those with supervisory duties that do not represent the majority of the incumbent’s time and effort. All positions are FLSA exempt and require at least a baccalaureate degree or equivalent in the field, and may require a terminal degree and/or professional licensure. Additionally, all 275 positions in the survey are matched to Bureau of Labor Statistics Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes to facilitate completion of the new IPEDS reporting requirements.

About CUPA-HR

CUPA-HR is higher ed HR. We serve higher education by providing the knowledge, resources, advocacy and connections to achieve organizational and workforce excellence. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, and serving more than 15,600 HR professionals and other campus leaders at more than 1,900 member organizations around the country and abroad, the association offers learning and professional development programs, higher education salary and benefits data, extensive online resources and just-in-time regulatory and legislative information. Our membership includes 92 percent of all U.S. doctoral institutions, 75 percent of all master’s institutions, 60 percent of all bachelor’s institutions and 600 community colleges and specialized institutions.

 

CUPA-HR is the recognized authority on compensation surveys for higher education, with its five salary surveys designed by higher ed HR professionals for higher ed HR professionals and other campus leaders.

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