Salary Increases in Higher Education: Which Positions Saw the Biggest Gains?
As the higher education landscape continues to evolve post-pandemic, one of the most closely watched trends is how salaries are shifting across faculty, administrative, and support roles. According to recent data from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR), the 2024–2025 academic year saw a notable increase in salaries across higher education, though not all positions benefited equally.
Rising Compensation Amid Inflation Pressures
The overall average salary increase for higher education professionals in 2025 hovered around 4.1%, slightly above last year’s figure and reflecting ongoing efforts to keep pace with inflation and retain top talent. This marks one of the highest increases in over a decade, yet it still lags behind inflation rates in many regions, leaving some employees feeling the squeeze.
However, not all roles experienced equal gains. The most significant salary increases were concentrated in specific administrative and specialized academic positions.
Top Gainers: Tech and Health-Related Academic Fields
Faculty in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields once again saw some of the largest salary boosts, with computer science and data analytics professors leading the charge. Average salaries in these fields rose between 5% and 7%, driven by high industry demand and competition from the private sector.
Meanwhile, health sciences faculty, including nursing and allied health instructors, experienced increases averaging 6.2%, as institutions expand programs to meet growing healthcare workforce needs.
Administrative and Leadership Roles See Strong Growth
Higher-level administrative positions also saw significant salary jumps. Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Vice Presidents for Enrollment Management enjoyed average raises of 6% to 7.5%, as digital infrastructure and student recruitment remain strategic priorities for institutions.
Similarly, deans of business and engineering schools reported notable salary growth, with some positions exceeding the 8% increase mark, reflecting strong enrollment in those disciplines and the need for experienced academic leaders.
Interestingly, presidents and chancellors saw more modest increases—around 2.5%, as many governing boards face scrutiny for executive pay amidst tightening budgets and calls for pay equity.
Modest Gains for Support Staff and Adjuncts
While gains were significant at the top, adjunct faculty and support staff saw much more modest increases—typically in the 2% to 3% range. Despite growing awareness of their crucial contributions, adjuncts continue to struggle with stagnant pay and limited benefits. The disparity remains a point of tension on many campuses.
Outlook: Strategic Pay Adjustments Ahead
Institutions are increasingly shifting toward strategic compensation models, offering targeted raises to positions critical to institutional success, such as enrollment, IT, and health programs. While this helps attract talent in competitive fields, it may widen pay gaps across campus communities.
As salary negotiations for the next academic year begin, transparency and equity will likely take center stage. Faculty unions, HR professionals, and university leadership will need to work together to balance budgetary realities with the imperative to retain and reward talent across all levels.
In short, while 2025 brought encouraging salary growth to many in higher education, the story remains uneven—and the push for fairer, more sustainable compensation structures is far from over.