Salaries at LSU

At Louisiana State University (LSU), located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, salary expectations for faculty and staff are determined by several key factors, including role, academic rank, years of experience, and field of expertise. Salaries often vary significantly between disciplines, with higher compensation typically offered in fields like engineering, business, and medicine due to market demand. Additionally, seniority and tenure status play a crucial role in determining pay for academic positions, while administrative roles may be influenced by the scope of responsibility. While LSU does not always publish fully transparent salary bands for all positions, some data may be accessible through public records or state employee salary databases, as LSU is a public institution.

• Assistant Professor: Typical salary range is $60,000–$80,000 USD per year, depending on the department. Entry-level roles often start at the lower end, with increases tied to research output and teaching performance.
• Associate Professor: Average salary range is $80,000–$100,000 USD annually. Mid-career faculty may see boosts from tenure or external research funding.
• Full Professor: Salaries typically range from $100,000–$150,000+ USD per year. Seniority, leadership roles, and prestigious grants often contribute to higher earnings.
• Department Chair: Compensation generally falls between $120,000–$180,000 USD annually, reflecting added administrative duties and experience.
• Administrative Staff (e.g., Program Coordinator): Salaries range from $40,000–$60,000 USD per year, often based on role complexity and years of service.

Salaries at LSU are generally competitive within the context of public universities in the southeastern United States, though they may lag behind private institutions or those in higher-cost regions. As a public university, LSU’s compensation often aligns with state benchmarking and budget constraints, which can limit rapid salary progression. However, faculty may enhance their earnings through research grants, consulting, or additional teaching opportunities. For prospective employees, understanding salary competitiveness requires comparing LSU’s offerings with similar institutions, while also considering Louisiana’s relatively low cost of living, which can offset modest pay scales in certain roles.