Salaries at JSU

At Jackson State University, located in Mississippi, salary expectations for faculty and staff are typically determined by a combination of factors including role, academic rank, years of experience, and field of expertise. Salaries often vary significantly between academic disciplines, with fields like engineering or business potentially commanding higher compensation compared to humanities. Additionally, administrative roles may have different pay structures based on the level of responsibility and departmental budgets. While Jackson State University does not widely publish transparent salary bands or detailed public data on individual compensation, some general information may be accessible through state-level public employee salary databases or university reports, as it is a public institution.

• Assistant Professor: Typical salary range is approximately $50,000–$60,000 USD per year, depending on the department and prior experience. Entry-level roles may start lower, with potential increases based on research output and teaching evaluations.
• Associate Professor: Average salary range is around $60,000–$75,000 USD annually. This rank often reflects mid-career status, with additional compensation possible through grants or administrative duties.
• Full Professor: Salaries generally fall between $80,000–$100,000 USD per year. Seniority, publication record, and leadership roles within the university can influence higher earnings.
• Department Chair: Compensation typically ranges from $85,000–$110,000 USD annually, often including stipends for administrative responsibilities alongside teaching or research duties.
• Administrative Staff (e.g., Academic Advisor): Salaries range from $35,000–$50,000 USD per year, varying based on experience and specific job functions within the university structure.

Salaries at Jackson State University are generally aligned with those of other public universities in Mississippi, reflecting state funding constraints and regional cost-of-living factors. As a public institution, compensation is often benchmarked against state guidelines for higher education employees, which may limit competitiveness compared to private universities or institutions in higher-cost states. However, opportunities for salary progression exist through promotions, tenure, and securing external research funding. For prospective employees, it is worth noting that while exact figures for specific roles may not always be publicly available, the university adheres to state-level transparency standards for public sector salaries, which can provide a general sense of earning potential.