Starting salaries for university academic roles in 2024 vary widely based on rank, location, and institutional policies. Below is a summary of trends for major roles in different countries:
United States
- Postdoctoral Researchers: Minimum salaries often align with institutional or union guidelines. For example, Columbia University specifies a minimum annual salary of $65,000 for postdocs, with adjustments based on experience and performance
- Assistant Professors: Salaries typically start around $60,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on the institution and discipline
- Associate and Full Professors: Associate professors earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, while full professors often exceed $100,000, with averages around $102,000 nationally.
UK
In the UK, starting salaries for academic roles in 2024 vary by position and institution but generally align with the Higher Education (HE) single pay spine framework, which sets national benchmarks for university staff salaries. Estimated starting salaries for the different academic roles are:
- Postdoctoral Researcher/Research Fellow: £27,000–£44,000 annually, depending on the role and experience
- Lecturer: Typically between £35,000 and £46,000 per year, with salaries increasing based on seniority and contributions
- Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor: Salaries range from £44,000 to £60,000 annually, reflecting higher teaching and research responsibilities
- Professor: Starting salaries usually begin around £70,000 and can exceed £100,000, depending on experience, leadership roles, and university prestige
Australia
In Australia, starting salaries for academic roles in 2024 vary depending on the institution and position. Here's a general overview:
- Postdoctoral Researchers: salaries for postdocs generally range from AUD 78,000 to AUD 105,000 per year, depending on the level of experience and the institution
- Lecturers: Salaries typically start at around AUD 119,440 per year and can increase with experience and seniority..
- Senior Lecturers: Salaries at this level start at approximately AUD 145,000 annually, rising with additional steps and responsibilities
Other Examples
- Canada:
- Assistant professors generally earn around CAD 100,000,
- associate professors average CAD 125,000.
- Full professors can reach CAD 160,000 annually
- Norway:
- Assistant professors earn approximately NOK 630,000 annually
- Professors earn nearly NOK 900,000 annually
- Finland:
- Salaries for assistant professors range from €3,700 to €6,000 monthly,
- Professors earn between €5,200 and €9,300 monthly
Ultimately Academic salaries vary by field, institution, and national regulations. For example, fields like medicine and engineering often command higher pay, and institutions in urban centers or high-cost regions may offer more competitive salaries. Check out our jobs board for the latest academic job openings around the world.
Sources
Academic Positions.Com
ap.uci.edu
ap.washington.edu
provost.columbia.edu
ucu.org.uk
prospects.ac.uk
discoverphds.com
Dundee.ac.uk
Seek.com.au
Timeshighereducation.com
Staff.uq.edu.au
Image Credit: Mohamed Hassan @ Pixabay