Salaries at UCM

At the University of California Merced (UC Merced), located in Merced, California, salary expectations for faculty and staff are typically determined by a combination of role, academic rank, experience, and field of expertise. As part of the University of California system, UC Merced adheres to structured pay scales that vary across disciplines, with higher salaries often allocated to fields like engineering and medicine due to market demand. The university benefits from the UC system's commitment to transparency, and salary bands for many positions are publicly accessible through system-wide reports and databases, though individual salaries may not always be disclosed.

• Assistant Professor: Typical salary range is $70,000–$90,000 USD annually, depending on the department and research focus. Entry-level roles may start lower, with potential increases based on grant funding and publications.
• Associate Professor: Average salary range is $90,000–$120,000 USD per year. Mid-career faculty often see salary growth tied to tenure and leadership roles within the university.
• Full Professor: Salaries typically range from $120,000–$180,000 USD annually, with senior faculty in specialized fields or with significant research portfolios earning at the higher end.
• Administrative Staff (e.g., Program Coordinator): Salaries generally range from $45,000–$65,000 USD per year, influenced by experience and scope of responsibilities.
• Department Chair: Compensation often falls between $130,000–$200,000 USD annually, reflecting additional administrative duties and seniority.

Salaries at UC Merced are generally competitive within the public university sector, aligning with the broader University of California system's benchmarking against national standards for academic and administrative roles. Progression often depends on performance evaluations, tenure status, and external funding for research-focused positions. As a public institution, UC Merced's compensation structure is influenced by state budgets and union agreements, which can impact annual adjustments or bonuses. While specific individual salaries may not always be public, the UC system's transparency initiatives provide a reliable framework for understanding salary expectations across various roles.