Ever wondered what a professor, a researcher, or even the chancellor at a major public university earns? For those interested in a career within the renowned University of North Carolina (UNC) system, this information isn't hidden. Thanks to public records laws, the UNC Salary Database provides a transparent look into compensation across its 17 institutions.
A career within the UNC system can be incredibly rewarding, offering roles from cutting-edge research to student affairs and administration. Salaries can range from around $35,000 for entry-level staff positions to well over $700,000 for top-tier administrators, medical faculty, and head coaches. This guide will help you navigate this data and understand what a career at UNC could mean for you.
What is the UNC Salary Database?
The "UNC Salary Database" is not a job title but a public record. As state-funded institutions, the salaries of all employees within the University of North Carolina system are a matter of public record. This data is compiled and made available to the public, often through news media outlets and the UNC System Office itself.
This database includes information for tens of thousands of employees across all campuses, from UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University to Appalachian State and UNC Wilmington. It typically lists an employee's name, job title, and annual salary. It serves as a powerful tool for transparency, allowing taxpayers to see how public funds are spent and enabling prospective employees to research potential earnings.
Average Salary in the UNC System
Pinpointing a single "average" salary for the entire UNC system can be misleading due to the immense diversity of roles. A part-time administrative assistant and a world-renowned neurosurgeon at the UNC School of Medicine are both university employees, but their compensation differs dramatically.
However, to provide a general benchmark, a median salary for a full-time employee across the system often falls in the $65,000 to $85,000 range. This figure is heavily influenced by the large number of faculty and professional staff.
A more useful way to look at salaries is through ranges:
- Entry-Level Staff/Administrative: $35,000 - $55,000
- Mid-Career Professional Staff (e.g., IT, Finance, Student Affairs): $60,000 - $95,000
- Faculty (Assistant/Associate Professor): $70,000 - $150,000+ (highly variable by field)
- Senior Administrators & Full Professors: $150,000 - $300,000+
- Executive Leadership & Specialized Medical Faculty: $300,000 - $1,000,000+
*Source: Analysis of publicly available UNC System salary data and comparative data from salary aggregators like Salary.com and Glassdoor for higher education roles.*
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your potential earnings within the UNC system are not determined by a single factor, but by a combination of crucial variables.
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Position and Role
This is the single most significant factor. The UNC system employs a vast array of professionals, and their salaries are tied to their function.
- Faculty: This includes professors, lecturers, and researchers. Salaries here are heavily dependent on rank (Assistant, Associate, Full Professor) and field. A professor in the Kenan-Flagler Business School will almost certainly earn more than a professor in the humanities, reflecting market demand.
- Administration: Roles like deans, provosts, department chairs, and chancellors carry immense responsibility and are compensated accordingly. These are among the highest-paid positions in the university.
- Professional Staff (EHRA): These are "Exempt from the Human Resources Act" employees, often in high-skilled roles like IT managers, financial analysts, research administrators, and senior student affairs directors. Their salaries are market-driven and competitive.
- General Staff (SHRA): These are "Subject to the Human Resources Act" employees and include a wide range of vital roles like administrative assistants, facilities and grounds crew, police officers, and lab technicians. Their pay is structured by state-mandated salary grades.
- Healthcare Professionals: UNC Health is a massive part of the system. Surgeons, physicians, and clinical department heads command salaries competitive with the private healthcare sector, often placing them among the university's top earners.
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Years of Experience
Experience is universally rewarded. For faculty, this is formalized through the tenure and promotion process. An Assistant Professor is an entry-level, tenure-track position. After 5-7 years of successful research and teaching, they may be promoted to Associate Professor with tenure, which comes with a significant salary increase. Promotion to Full Professor marks the highest academic rank and another pay bump. For staff and administrative roles, years of experience lead to promotions, greater responsibility, and higher pay grades.
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Level of Education
In an academic setting, education is paramount. A terminal degree (like a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D.) is a prerequisite for virtually all faculty and senior administrative positions and is a primary driver of high salaries. Master's degrees are often required for mid-to-senior level professional staff roles, while a bachelor's degree is the typical minimum for many entry-level professional positions. Each progressive level of education unlocks higher-paying career tracks.
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Geographic Location (Campus)
While all are part of one system, there are minor salary distinctions between campuses. These often reflect the local cost of living and the specific mission of the institution. For example, salaries at flagship research campuses like UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University, located in the high-growth Research Triangle Park area, may be slightly higher on average than at regional universities in areas with a lower cost of living.
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Area of Specialization
Market forces play a huge role within academia. Fields with high-paying private-sector alternatives must offer competitive salaries to attract top talent. This is why faculty in business, engineering, computer science, law, and medicine typically earn significantly more than faculty in the humanities and social sciences. A data scientist working for the university will command a salary competitive with corporate roles, as cited by industry reports and salary aggregators like Payscale.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for careers in higher education and associated fields is generally stable and projected to grow.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by rising student enrollments.
Furthermore, because the UNC system is a major provider of healthcare, the outlook for medical professionals is exceptionally strong. The BLS projects the healthcare occupations group to grow 13 percent over the same period, adding about 2 million new jobs nationally.
Working for a large, stable public system like UNC can provide a degree of job security that may be less common in the private sector, particularly in economic downturns.
Conclusion
A career within the University of North Carolina system offers a diverse landscape of opportunity, intellectual stimulation, and competitive compensation. While the term "UNC Salary Database" refers to a powerful public resource, understanding it requires looking beyond the raw numbers.
Key takeaways for any prospective employee are:
- Your role is paramount: Your specific job function is the biggest determinant of your salary.
- Education and experience are your levers: Advancing your credentials and building a strong track record are the surest paths to promotion and higher earnings.
- Do your research: Use the public salary database to research specific job titles and departments you are interested in. This will give you a realistic baseline for what to expect.
Whether you are an aspiring academic, a skilled administrator, or a healthcare professional, the UNC system represents a world of potential. By understanding the factors that shape compensation, you can strategically plan your career path for success.