Salaries at SFSU

At San Francisco State University (SFSU), located in San Francisco, California, 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 align with the California State University (CSU) system's pay scales, which are publicly available and provide transparent salary bands for various positions. These bands are influenced by collective bargaining agreements with unions representing faculty and staff, ensuring a structured approach to compensation. While individual salaries may vary based on specific qualifications or additional responsibilities, the CSU system strives for fairness and equity across its campuses, including SFSU.

• Assistant Professor: Typical salary range is $60,000–$80,000 USD annually, depending on department and experience. Entry-level roles may start at the lower end, with increases based on tenure track progression.
• Associate Professor: Average salary range is $80,000–$100,000 USD per year. Mid-career faculty often see salary growth with tenure and research contributions.
• Full Professor: Salaries typically range from $100,000–$130,000 USD annually. Seniority, leadership roles, and research funding can push compensation higher.
• Administrative Staff (e.g., Program Coordinator): Salaries generally fall between $45,000–$65,000 USD per year, varying by department and level of responsibility.
• Department Chair: Compensation ranges from $110,000–$140,000 USD annually, often including stipends for administrative duties alongside teaching or research.

Salaries at SFSU are generally competitive within the public university sector, particularly given the high cost of living in San Francisco. As part of the CSU system, compensation is benchmarked against other public institutions in California, with periodic adjustments based on state funding and union negotiations. Career progression often leads to incremental salary increases, especially for faculty achieving tenure or taking on leadership roles. However, specific individual salaries may not always be publicly disclosed due to privacy policies, though aggregate data and pay scales are accessible through the CSU system's transparency initiatives.