Salaries at ArtCenter

At Art Center College of Design, located in Pasadena, California, salary expectations for faculty and staff are typically determined by factors such as role, experience, academic rank, and the specific field of expertise. Salaries often reflect the institution's focus on creative and design disciplines, with compensation varying based on whether the position is academic, administrative, or technical. While Art Center College of Design does not publicly publish transparent salary bands or detailed compensation data on its official website, some information can be inferred from industry standards for private art and design colleges in the United States, as well as from employee-reported data on various platforms. Prospective employees are encouraged to negotiate based on their qualifications and market rates for similar roles in higher education.

• Full-Time Faculty (Professor/Associate Professor): Typical salary range is approximately $70,000–$100,000 USD per year, depending on rank and seniority. Additional compensation may include grants or funding for creative projects and exhibitions.
• Adjunct Faculty: Part-time instructors often earn between $3,000–$6,000 USD per course, with total annual earnings varying based on the number of courses taught. These roles generally do not include benefits or long-term contracts.
• Department Chair: Salaries typically range from $90,000–$120,000 USD annually, reflecting leadership responsibilities and experience in managing academic programs.
• Administrative Staff (e.g., Admissions Officer): Compensation generally falls between $45,000–$65,000 USD per year, with variations based on role complexity and years of service.
• Technical Staff (e.g., Lab Manager): Salaries range from $50,000–$70,000 USD annually, often tied to specialized skills in design technology or studio management.

Salaries at Art Center College of Design appear to be competitive within the niche of private art and design institutions, though they may not always match the compensation levels of larger research universities. Progression in salary often depends on tenure, portfolio achievements, and contributions to the college’s reputation through creative or academic work. For administrative roles, benchmarking against similar-sized private colleges in California suggests that compensation aligns with regional standards, though public sector comparisons are less relevant due to the private nature of the institution. Employees may also benefit from professional development opportunities and a collaborative creative environment, which can be seen as non-monetary compensation in this field.