Faculty Salaries Fell By Nearly 5% As Inflation Eats Into Living Costs

According to the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), faculty salaries fell by nearly 5% in 2021-22 when wages were adjusted for inflation. The annual report was released by the association on June 22 which revealed the economic state of the noblest profession.

The AAUP report highlighted the fact that faculty salaries fell by nearly 5% in 2021-22, as inflation soars to record highs.

The Effect of Inflation 

As per the report, that is in place since 1972, faculty salaries fell although in between the period 2020-22, salaries rose by early 2% to %103, 803. Inflation jumps have resulted in increased prices, with the year-on-year inflation touching 8.6%. The annual faculty salary data also points to the fact that those who did not receive a raise and for those whose salaries stagnated, inflation reduced their spending power considerably. Taking the 40-year-high inflation into account means that full time faculty saw their wages fall by almost 5%.

According to Glenn Colby, senior research officer at AAUP, the number of faculty seeking data to ask for a pay rise is increasing. He stated that faculties want to make a case for pay hikes in relation to inflation. He stated, “I would just encourage institutions to make adjustments that maintain the standard of living so they don’t lose talented people. That’s the market comparison to make.” He also admitted that this year his office received an unusually large number of requests on institutional salary data and finances. He believes, as faculty salaries fell, they are trying to compile relevant data to seek adjustments on how raises are given, taking inflation into consideration.

The AAUP surveyed over 900 colleges with more than 370,000 full-time and 90,000 part-time faculty members, also known as adjunct faculty, to prepare the report.

While some colleges have taken voluntary steps to address the issue, there is no permanent solution in place to the effect of inflation jumps on wages. Carnegie Mellon University admitted that it is offering eligible employees a one-time payment of $1,500 to help with gas, food, and utilities. It is also putting a merit increase program in place for 2023. But one-time grants are not a lasting solution. One professor mentioned that it will be more beneficial to give retroactive raises.

Faculty Layoffs and & The Pandemic

The AAUP’s new report is based primarily on the group’s annual Faculty Pay Survey. Al report from the College and University Professional Association–Human Resources in April 2022 also found that the “soaring inflation rate has far outpaced pay increases for the higher education workforce.” Colby notes the seriousness of the situation stating that in the first of Covid-19 over 40,000 of part-time faculty were laid off. And those who lost their jobs are still struggling as they have not been hired back. The massive layoffs during Covid combined with no pay increases, and sometimes pay decreases, mean that faculty bore the brunt of the pandemic. Dr Adrianna Kezar, the Dean’s Professor of Leadership, Wilber-Kieffer Professor of Higher Education, and director of the Pullias Center for Higher Education at the University of Southern California (USC) told Diverse Education that the pandemic has been brutal for faculty.

 The report also pointed out that while faculty salaries fell, most college administrators got hikes and bonuses. Furthermore, contingent faculty, which is the term used to describe those who are not tenured or tenure-tracked, had fewer job protections. Almost 61.5% of both full- and part-time faculty are contingent hires. Those in this group were more likely to be women or people of color.

One of the experts noted that a push for unionization could bring about some much-needed changes and bolster pay transparency. Unionization will help them bargain collectively and set systems in place that offer job protection and help set contracts that clarify salaries and benefits.

The report is clear that during the last one year, real wages for full-time faculty dropped below Great Recession levels of the late 2000, when adjusted for inflation. If we cannot figure out a solution to pay faculty, it will eventually impact the system of higher education.

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