Salaries at Cornell

Salary expectations at Cornell University, located in Ithaca, New York, vary significantly based on factors such as role, academic rank, field of expertise, and years of experience. As an Ivy League institution, Cornell offers competitive compensation to attract top talent in academia and administration. Salaries are often determined by market benchmarks within higher education, with considerations for discipline-specific demand (e.g., engineering or business faculty may earn more than humanities). While Cornell does not publicly publish detailed salary bands for all positions, some data is accessible through aggregate reports or state-level transparency initiatives for public employees, as Cornell has both private and public components due to its land-grant status.

• Assistant Professor: Typically earns between $80,000–$110,000 USD annually, depending on the department and research funding. Entry-level roles often come with startup packages for research.
• Associate Professor: Average salary ranges from $100,000–$140,000 USD per year, reflecting mid-career status and tenure considerations.
• Full Professor: Senior faculty often earn $150,000–$250,000 USD or more, with additional income possible through endowed chairs or external grants.
• Department Chair: Salaries range from $160,000–$300,000 USD, depending on the size and prestige of the department, often including administrative stipends.
• Senior Administrative Staff: Roles like deans or directors typically earn $120,000–$200,000 USD, with bonuses or incentives tied to fundraising or strategic goals.

Cornell University salaries are generally competitive within the Ivy League and broader higher education sector, often benchmarked against peer institutions like Harvard or Stanford. Progression in academic roles typically follows a structured path from assistant to full professor, with significant salary increases tied to tenure and research impact. For administrative staff, compensation may reflect public sector standards due to Cornell’s partial state affiliation, though private endowments allow flexibility for top-tier talent. While exact figures for individual roles are not always publicly disclosed, the university’s commitment to attracting global expertise ensures salaries remain attractive, particularly in high-demand fields like technology and medicine.