Salaries at CMC

At Claremont McKenna College (CMC), located in Claremont, California, salary expectations for faculty and staff are typically determined by a combination of role, academic rank, experience, and field of expertise. Salaries often reflect the competitive nature of the liberal arts college environment, with considerations for market rates in higher education and the cost of living in Southern California. While CMC does not publicly publish transparent salary bands or detailed compensation data on its official website, salary ranges for various positions can often be inferred from industry reports, union agreements, and aggregated data from higher education surveys. Faculty compensation may also vary based on departmental budgets and external research funding, while administrative roles are aligned with institutional hierarchies and responsibilities.

• Assistant Professor: Typical salary range of $70,000–$90,000 USD per year, depending on the department and years of experience. Entry-level roles may start lower but often include opportunities for research grants.
• Associate Professor: Average salary range of $90,000–$120,000 USD annually, reflecting mid-career status and tenure considerations. Additional bonuses or stipends may apply for leadership roles within departments.
• Full Professor: Salary range typically between $120,000–$160,000 USD per year, with senior faculty often earning more based on long-term contributions, publications, and institutional service.
• Administrative Director: Salaries generally range from $80,000–$130,000 USD annually, depending on the scope of the department (e.g., admissions or student affairs) and level of responsibility.
• Adjunct Faculty: Compensation often falls between $5,000–$8,000 USD per course, with variability based on teaching load and lack of benefits compared to full-time roles.

Salaries at Claremont McKenna College are generally competitive within the context of small, elite liberal arts colleges in the United States, though they may not match those at larger research universities. Progression in compensation often correlates with tenure, promotions, and additional responsibilities such as committee leadership or program development. While specific data on salary benchmarking or public sector comparisons is not widely available for CMC, the college likely aligns its compensation packages with peer institutions in the Claremont Colleges consortium and broader higher education trends in California. For prospective employees, salary negotiations may play a significant role, particularly for senior academic and administrative positions, where experience and specialized skills can influence final offers.