Salaries at KU

At the University of Kansas (KU), located in Lawrence, Kansas, salary expectations for faculty and staff are determined by several factors, including role, academic rank, years of experience, and field of expertise. Salaries often vary significantly between disciplines, with higher compensation typically offered in fields like engineering, business, and medicine due to market demand. Additionally, seniority and tenure status play a crucial role in determining pay for academic positions. While the University of Kansas does not publish fully transparent salary bands for all roles, some data on public employee salaries, including those at KU, can be accessed through state-level resources or public records as it is a public institution.

• Assistant Professor: Typical salary range is $60,000–$80,000 USD per year, depending on the department. Entry-level roles may start lower, with potential increases based on research output and teaching evaluations.
• Associate Professor: Average salary range is $80,000–$100,000 USD annually. This rank often reflects tenure status, with additional compensation possible through grants or administrative duties.
• Full Professor: Salaries typically range from $100,000–$150,000 USD per year. Seniority, leadership roles, and external funding can push earnings higher in competitive fields.
• Academic Advisor: Average salary range is $40,000–$50,000 USD per year. These roles often depend on experience and may include bonuses for student retention success.
• Administrative Director: Salaries range from $70,000–$110,000 USD annually, influenced by the scope of responsibility and department size.

Salaries at the University of Kansas are generally competitive within the public university sector, particularly when benchmarked against other institutions in the Big 12 Conference and similar-sized state universities. As a public institution, KU salaries are often aligned with state budgets and may not match private university compensation in high-demand fields. However, the university offers opportunities for salary progression through tenure, promotions, and additional responsibilities such as committee leadership or research grants. For prospective employees, it’s worth noting that while some salary data is accessible through public records, comprehensive and up-to-date figures for specific roles or departments may require direct inquiry with the university’s human resources office.