March-April 2002

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The Annual Report on the Economic Status of the Profession, 2001-02

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The Annual Report on the Economic Status of the Profession, 2001-2002

List of Tables and Figures
Explanation of Statistical Data

Highlights of the report:

  • Average faculty salaries increased 3.8 percent from 2000-01 to 2001-02, a rise of 2.2 percent after adjusting for inflation in consumer prices.
  • For the fifth consecutive year, average faculty salary levels increased after adjustment for inflation. The inflation-adjusted increase this year was the largest since the mid-1980s.
  • Salaries of continuing faculty rose 5 percent, an inflation-adjusted increase of 3.4 percent, also the largest since the mid-1980s.
  • Average academic salaries, adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index, exceeded their 1971-72 level for the first time.
  • Over the past four years, the salaries of college and university teachers have fallen compared with those of health professionals, scientists, engineers, and attorneys.
  • Salary differences by rank began to widen in the mid-1990s, although this trend reversed slightly this year.
  • The relative pay advantage of private institutions compared with public colleges and universities has remained unchanged since the mid-1990s, after rising from the mid-1970s through the mid-1990s.
  • Regional differences in salaries fluctuate from year to year, but over the long term, the changes have been few, with salaries in the East South Central region remaining lowest, and salaries in the New England and Pacific regions remaining highest.
  • In academe, as in most other professions except engineering, women's salaries have not risen relative to men's over the past twenty years.
  • Fringe-benefit costs per faculty member remained around 25 percent of salaries, as they have for the past decade.

Unless otherwise indicated, the data in this report were provided by institutions responding to the AAUP Faculty Compensation Survey and were compiled and edited by AAUP staff. Any questions concerning the data should be addressed to the American Association of University Professors, Research Department, Attn: Salary Survey, 1012 Fourteenth St., NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005-3465. (202) 737-5900. To purchase complete copies of the report, please contact the AAUP.