Salaries at UMass Amherst

At the University of Massachusetts Amherst, located in Amherst, Massachusetts, salary expectations for faculty and staff are typically determined by a combination of factors including role, academic rank, years of experience, and field of expertise. Salaries often vary significantly between disciplines, with STEM fields generally commanding higher compensation due to market demand. The university, as a public institution, adheres to state guidelines and union agreements for many positions, which can influence pay scales. While UMass Amherst does not publish fully transparent salary bands for all roles on its public website, some data may be accessible through state employee salary databases or collective bargaining agreements available to the public.

• Assistant Professor: Typical salary range is $70,000–$90,000 USD annually, depending on the department and research funding. Entry-level roles may start lower but increase with tenure track progression.
• Associate Professor: Average salary range is $90,000–$120,000 USD per year, often reflecting seniority, publication record, and teaching load.
• Full Professor: Salaries typically range from $120,000–$160,000+ USD annually, with higher earnings for those with significant research grants or administrative duties.
• Administrative Staff (e.g., Program Coordinator): Salaries generally fall between $45,000–$65,000 USD per year, influenced by experience and specific responsibilities.
• Department Chair: Compensation often ranges from $130,000–$180,000 USD annually, including stipends for leadership roles in addition to base faculty pay.

Salaries at UMass Amherst are generally competitive within the public university sector, particularly when benchmarked against other institutions in the University of Massachusetts system and similar-sized public universities in the Northeast. Progression in academic roles often depends on achieving tenure, securing research funding, or taking on administrative responsibilities, which can lead to significant salary increases over time. As a public institution, compensation is also influenced by state budgets and union negotiations, which may limit flexibility compared to private universities but provide stability and benefits. For the most accurate and up-to-date figures, individuals are encouraged to consult official university resources or state salary databases, as specific data can vary year to year.