After increasing by 14 percent during the 1980s and by 5 percent during the 1990s, average salaries for faculty were 2 percent higher in 2007-08 than in 1999-2000, after adjusting for inflation.

In 2007-08, the average faculty salary was $71,100, with institutional averages ranging from $43,400 at private 2-year colleges to $93,700 at private doctoral universities (see table A-43-1). Between 1979-80 and 2007-08, the average salary for full-time instructional faculty in colleges and universities increased by 22 percent, after adjusting for inflation. Average salaries were higher in 2007-08 than in 1979-80 for faculty with academic ranks. The increase was greatest for instructors, whose average salary increased by 44 percent, followed by that of professors, whose average salary increased by 27 percent. Similarly, the average salary was higher in 2007-08 than in 1979-80 at most types of institutions, ranging from an increase of 7 percent at public 2-year colleges to 38 percent at private doctoral universities.

Much of the growth in faculty salaries between 1979-80 and 2007-08 occurred during the earlier years of this time span. After increasing by 14 percent during the 1980s and by 5 percent during the 1990s, average salaries for faculty were 2 percent higher in 2007-08 than in 1999-2000, after adjusting for inflation. In 2007-08, faculty salaries at public and private doctoral universities and private master's degree universities were about 1 percent higher than in 1999-2000. Salaries decreased by 1 percent between 1999-2000 and 2007-08 at public master's degree universities, public 2-year colleges, and public other 4-year colleges. In contrast, there was an increase of 6 percent at private other 4-year colleges. Faculty salaries at private 2-year colleges were 3 percent lower in 2007-08 than in 1999-2000.

Fringe benefits for faculty (adjusted for inflation) have increased by a higher percentage than salaries since 1979-80 (76 vs. 22 percent). Between 1999-2000 and 2007-08, fringe benefits rose among most types of institutions, in contrast to the decreases in salaries for many types of institutions. Overall, average fringe benefits for faculty were 19 percent higher in 2007-08 than in 1999-2000, while faculty salaries were 2 percent higher. Average fringe benefits for faculty generally increased by a larger percentage at public institutions than at private institutions. The average benefit for faculty at public doctoral universities increased by 15 percent, compared to an 11 percent increase for faculty at private doctoral institutions. The average benefit for faculty at public master's degree institutions increased by 23 percent, compared to 14 percent for faculty at private master's degree universities. The average benefit for faculty at public other 4-year colleges increased by 31 percent, compared to 21 percent for faculty at private other 4-year colleges. Faculty at public 2-year institutions had an increase of 25 percent in faculty benefits, while benefits for faculty at private 2-year colleges were 2 percent lower in 2007-08 than in 1999-2000.

Combining salary with benefits, full-time instructional faculty received a total compensation package in 2007-08 that was about 5 percent higher than they had received in 1999-2000. In 2007-08, the average compensation package for faculty was about $90,800, including $71,100 in salaries and $19,800 in benefits.

Technical Notes

Total compensation is the sum of salary and fringe benefits. Salary does not include outside income. Fringe benefits may include benefits such as retirement plans, medical/dental plans, group life insurance, or other benefits. Institutions in this indicator are classified based on the number of highest degrees awarded. For example, institutions that award 20 or more doctoral degrees per year are classified as doctoral universities. For more information about classifications of postsecondary institutions, see supplemental note 8. Salaries reflect an average of all faculty on 9- and 10-month contracts rather than a weighted average based on contract length that appears in some other NCES reports. Data exclude faculty on less-than-9-month and 11- and 12-month contracts. In 2007-08, less than 1 percent of faculty were on less-than-9-month contracts and 16 percent were on 11- and 12-month contracts. Salaries, benefits, and compensation are adjusted by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to constant 2007-08 dollars. Academic ranks include professor, associate professor, assistant professor, instructor, and lecturer. Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding. For more information about the CPI, see supplemental note 10. For more information about the Integrated Postsecondary Data System (IPEDS), see supplemental note 3.