Salaries at OU

At Oakland University, located in Rochester, Michigan, salary expectations for faculty and staff are typically determined by a combination of role, academic rank, years of experience, and field of expertise. Salaries often vary significantly between disciplines, with fields like engineering and business commanding higher pay due to market demand, while humanities and social sciences may align with lower ranges. The university, as a public institution, adheres to state guidelines and often provides some level of transparency through public records or salary databases. However, specific salary bands for individual roles are not always published directly on the university’s website, and figures may be accessed through state-level transparency initiatives or union agreements for certain positions.

• Assistant Professor: Typical salary range is $60,000–$75,000 USD annually, depending on the department and research expectations. Entry-level roles may start lower, with potential increases based on tenure track progress.
• Associate Professor: Average salary range is $75,000–$90,000 USD per year, reflecting mid-career status, publication records, and teaching load. Seniority and grants can push salaries higher.
• Full Professor: Salaries typically range from $90,000–$120,000 USD annually, with top earners benefiting from endowed chairs, research funding, or administrative duties.
• Administrative Staff (e.g., Academic Advisor): Salaries often fall between $45,000–$60,000 USD per year, influenced by experience and specific responsibilities within student services.
• Department Chair: Compensation ranges from $100,000–$130,000 USD annually, often including stipends for leadership roles alongside base faculty pay.

Salaries at Oakland University are generally competitive within the context of public universities in Michigan, though they may lag behind larger research institutions or private colleges in high-demand fields. Progression often follows a structured path, with regular reviews for merit-based raises or promotions, especially for tenured faculty. As a public university, compensation is benchmarked against state budgets and may be influenced by collective bargaining agreements for certain roles. While exact figures can vary year to year, the university’s commitment to transparency through public sector reporting ensures that prospective employees can access general salary trends with some effort.