Salaries at SDSU

At San Diego State University (SDSU), located in San Diego, California, salary expectations for faculty and staff are typically determined by factors such as role, academic rank, years of experience, and field of expertise. Salaries often vary significantly between disciplines, with higher compensation in fields like engineering and business compared to humanities. As a public institution within the California State University system, SDSU adheres to structured pay scales that are influenced by collective bargaining agreements and state funding. While the university does not always publish detailed salary bands for every position, some data is accessible through public records and transparency initiatives like the California State University system's salary database.

• Assistant Professor: Typical salary range is $60,000–$80,000 USD per year, depending on the department and prior experience. Entry-level roles may start lower but increase with tenure track progression.
• Associate Professor: Average salary range is $80,000–$100,000 USD annually. This role often reflects mid-career status with additional research or teaching responsibilities.
• Full Professor: Salaries typically range from $100,000–$130,000 USD per year, with potential for higher earnings based on seniority, research funding, or administrative duties.
• Department Chair: Compensation averages between $110,000–$150,000 USD annually, often including stipends for leadership roles.
• Administrative Staff (e.g., Academic Advisor): Salaries range from $45,000–$65,000 USD per year, varying by experience and specific job responsibilities.

Salaries at SDSU are generally competitive within the California State University system, though they may lag behind private institutions or universities in higher-cost regions. Progression often depends on tenure, performance evaluations, and available funding, with periodic adjustments based on union agreements and state budgets. As a public university, SDSU's compensation structure is benchmarked against other state-funded institutions, ensuring a degree of transparency and equity, though individual earnings can vary based on grants, bonuses, or additional roles. For the most accurate and up-to-date figures, consulting public salary databases or university HR resources is recommended.