Salaries at UCSB

At the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), located in Santa Barbara, California, salary expectations for faculty and staff are determined by a variety of factors including role, academic rank, experience, and field of expertise. Salaries often vary significantly between disciplines, with higher compensation typically offered in fields like engineering and business compared to humanities. UCSB, as part of the University of California system, adheres to publicly available salary scales for many positions, ensuring a level of transparency. These scales are often accessible through the UC system's official resources and are adjusted periodically to reflect cost-of-living increases and market competitiveness.

• Assistant Professor: Typical salary range is $70,000–$90,000 USD per year, depending on the department and initial research funding. Entry-level roles may see incremental increases with tenure track progression.
• Associate Professor: Average salary range is $90,000–$120,000 USD annually, often reflecting seniority and additional responsibilities such as mentoring or administrative duties.
• Full Professor: Salaries typically range from $120,000–$200,000+ USD per year, with top earners benefiting from research grants, endowed chairs, or long-term service.
• Lecturer: Compensation ranges from $50,000–$70,000 USD annually, often on a per-course or temporary contract basis with fewer benefits compared to tenured roles.
• Administrative Staff (e.g., Program Coordinator): Salaries generally fall between $45,000–$65,000 USD per year, influenced by experience and specific departmental needs.

Salaries at UCSB are generally competitive within the public university sector, aligning with the broader University of California system's commitment to fair compensation. As a public institution, UCSB benchmarks its salaries against similar roles in other UC campuses and state universities, ensuring alignment with market standards. Career progression often includes opportunities for salary increases through promotions, additional responsibilities, or securing external research funding. However, exact figures for certain roles or departments may not always be publicly detailed at the individual level due to privacy considerations, though aggregate data or salary bands are often accessible for transparency.