Salaries at MCAD

At the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, salary expectations for faculty and staff are typically determined by factors such as role, experience, academic rank, and field of expertise. Salaries often vary between academic departments due to differences in demand for specific skills, such as fine arts versus digital design. Additionally, administrative roles may follow different compensation structures based on responsibility levels and years of service. While MCAD does not publicly publish transparent salary bands or detailed compensation data on its official website, some information can be inferred from industry standards for art and design institutions in the region, as well as anecdotal reports from employees.

• Full-Time Faculty (Professor/Associate Professor): Typical salary range is approximately $60,000–$80,000 USD per year, depending on rank and tenure status. Seniority and research or exhibition contributions may influence higher-end salaries.
• Adjunct Faculty: Often paid per course, with averages ranging from $3,000–$5,000 USD per course. Compensation can vary based on course load and experience, with limited benefits compared to full-time roles.
• Department Chair: Estimated salary range of $75,000–$95,000 USD annually, reflecting additional administrative duties. Bonuses or stipends may apply for leadership roles.
• Administrative Staff (e.g., Admissions Counselor): Salaries typically fall between $40,000–$55,000 USD per year, depending on experience and specific responsibilities within the institution.

Salaries at MCAD appear to be competitive within the niche of art and design colleges, though they may not match compensation levels at larger public universities in Minnesota. Progression often depends on achieving tenure for faculty or taking on leadership roles for administrative staff. As a private institution, MCAD’s salary structures are not directly tied to public sector benchmarking, which can make precise data harder to obtain. Employees and prospective hires are encouraged to negotiate based on industry standards for similar roles at comparable institutions, as well as consider non-monetary benefits like creative freedom and professional development opportunities.