Salaries at Duke

Salary expectations at Duke University, located in Durham, North Carolina, vary significantly based on role, experience, academic rank, and field of expertise. For academic positions, salaries are often determined by factors such as tenure status, department, and research productivity, while administrative roles are influenced by seniority and scope of responsibility. Duke University does not publicly publish comprehensive salary bands for all positions, though some data may be accessible through state-level transparency initiatives for public employees or aggregated reports from sources like the Chronicle of Higher Education. This lack of full transparency means prospective employees often rely on industry benchmarks or direct negotiation to understand compensation.

• Assistant Professor: Typical salary range is $80,000–$110,000 USD per year, depending on the department (e.g., STEM fields often pay higher). Entry-level roles may start lower, with increases tied to research output and teaching evaluations.
• Associate Professor: Average salary range is $100,000–$140,000 USD annually. Mid-career faculty often see boosts from tenure and additional research funding or grants.
• Full Professor: Salaries typically range from $150,000–$250,000 USD per year, with top earners in fields like medicine or law exceeding this due to external funding or clinical roles.
• Administrative Staff (e.g., Program Coordinator): Salaries range from $45,000–$65,000 USD annually, often tied to experience and specific departmental budgets.
• Department Chair: Compensation ranges from $180,000–$300,000 USD per year, reflecting leadership responsibilities and often including stipends or bonuses.

Salaries at Duke University are generally competitive within the higher education sector, particularly for a private research institution of its caliber. Faculty compensation often aligns with or exceeds national averages for similar roles at peer institutions, while administrative salaries may vary based on funding and operational needs. Progression in academic roles typically follows a structured path from assistant to full professor, with significant jumps tied to tenure and leadership appointments. For many positions, especially in academia, total compensation may include benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and sabbatical opportunities, which enhance overall value. While exact figures remain partially opaque without direct institutional disclosure, Duke’s reputation suggests a commitment to attracting top talent through robust remuneration packages.