Arizona State University (ASU) Salaries Overview
Salaries at Arizona State University (ASU)
Arizona State University (ASU) is one of the largest and most innovative public research universities in the United States. ASU is a large employee base, and salaries are competitive depending on job categories, faculty, administration. This story takes an in-depth look at ASU salaries, examining faculty pay, staff pay and why some people earn more than others.
Elements that Affect ASU Salaries
ASU employee salaries are based on a few different factors:
Position and Rank: Salaries for professors, associate professors and assistant professors also vary based on rank and experience.
Department and Degree: STEM degrees tend to yield greater pay rates than arts or humanities degrees.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION Higher degrees (i.e., Ph. D.s) are paid more and with more experience, pay goes up.
Multiple campuses with potentially varying salaries based on location Job location & cost of living: ASU has several campuses, potentially with varying salary levels.
State Budget and University Funding: Since public universities depend on state funding, grants, and tuition fees, these factors can affect salary structures.Asu assistant professor salary
Union: For some employees, that number is impacted by faculty or staff unions that negotiate pay raises and benefits).
Performance and Merit Increases: Some faculty and staff receive salary increases based on performance evaluations and their contributions to research.
| Job Title | Average Salary (USD) |
|---|---|
| Full Professor | $120,000 – $180,000 |
| Associate Professor | $85,000 – $120,000 |
| Assistant Professor | $70,000 – $100,000 |
| Lecturer | $50,000 – $80,000 |
| Adjunct Faculty | $3,000 – $5,000 per course |
| Research Scientist | $60,000 – $110,000 |
At ASU, salaries differ widely, depending on the field of study. Here is a rough salary range for professors, based on discipline:
| Discipline | Average Salary (USD) |
| Engineering | $130,000 – $180,000 |
| Business | $120,000 – $170,000 |
| Medicine/Health Sciences | $110,000 – $160,000 |
| Computer Science | $120,000 – $175,000 |
| Law | $140,000 – $190,000 |
| Social Sciences | $80,000 – $120,000 |
| Humanities | $70,000 – $110,000 |
| Education | $65,000 – $100,000 |
Salaries of Administrative and Staff
ASU has a wide variety of employees, ranging from administrative, IT, support staff, and the like. Here is an approximation of annual salary ranges for certain non-faculty positions:
| Job Title | Average Salary (USD) |
| University President | $700,000 – $900,000 |
| Vice President | $200,000 – $350,000 |
| Dean | $150,000 – $250,000 |
| Department Chair | $100,000 – $180,000 |
| Academic Advisor | $45,000 – $65,000 |
| IT Specialist | $60,000 – $90,000 |
| Librarian | $50,000 – $80,000 |
| Administrative Assistant | $35,000 – $55,000 |
Employee Retention and Satisfaction
This is critical in retaining employees at ASU. A lot of ASU employees stick around because of:
Scholarships and grants for research funding
Networking opportunities and a strong academic community
Access to state-of-the-art facilities and technology
Job security compared to private-sector employment
A Comparison with Other Universities
The Arizona State University salary is competitive with other public universities. For example:
University of Arizona (UA): Salaries are lower than at ASU but are also generally in line with funding and university policies.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): Faculty at UCLA earn a higher income due to the high cost of living in California.
Texas A&M University: Similar pay across departments, but department funding and endowments may differ.
Public and Private Universities
Cuffer said the salaries are lower at public universities like ASU compared to those at private institutions. Private universities have bigger endowments and more revenue from tuition — and can afford to pay their faculty and staff better.
Benefits and Perks
Benefits provided to Staff Members at ASU include:
Health Insurance (medical, dental, and vision)
Retirement Plans (401 benefits and pension alternatives)
Paid Time Off (vacation time and sick leave)
Tuition Reduction (reduced tuition rates employee and their dependents)
Advancement (training programs and workshops)
Flexible Work Schedules (certain positions are eligible for remote and hybrid work options)
Research Grants and Funding (faculty may secure outside funding and bring it into campus)
Future Salary Trends at ASU
In this changing economic landscape and with the growing need for higher education professionals, ASU revenues will continue to increase in the years to come. There are several factors that come into play:
Changes to state and federal funding: Abundant funding might result in more competitive salaries for faculty and staff.
Increasing Cost of Living: The cost of living in Arizona is becoming more and more expensive, leading ASU to potentially raise salaries.
Expansion of Research and Innovation Programs: Given ASU’s emphasis on innovation, research faculty salaries could continue to soar.
Market Demand for Specific Disciplines: Strong demand in stem and healthcare fields could lead to higher salary offers.
What they overwhelmingly provide is competitive, well-structured, and closely coordinated salary processes for faculty and staff that strike a balance between state support and academic success. Salaries depend on position, experience, and department, which is different for job seekers to consider prior to applying. Overall, we felt ASU is still a respected employer in higher education with a robust benefits package and potential for advancement within the university.
Prospective employees can access detailed ASU salary information through the official ASU HR website or public salary databases.
