Salaries at UNCW

At the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), 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 business, engineering, and health sciences due to market demand. Administrative roles may also reflect differences based on responsibility and seniority. While UNCW operates within the University of North Carolina system, which adheres to state guidelines for public employee compensation, specific salary bands or detailed breakdowns for individual positions are not always publicly disclosed at the university level. However, general salary data for public institutions in North Carolina can sometimes be accessed through state databases for transparency purposes.

• Assistant Professor: Typical salary range is $60,000–$75,000 USD annually, depending on the department and research expectations. Entry-level roles may start lower, with potential increases based on tenure track progression.
• Associate Professor: Average salary range is $75,000–$90,000 USD per year, often reflecting mid-career status, publication records, and teaching load. Additional funding may come from grants or research stipends.
• Full Professor: Salaries typically range from $90,000–$120,000+ USD annually, with higher earnings for senior faculty in competitive fields or those with significant research contributions.
• Department Chair: Compensation generally falls between $100,000–$130,000 USD per year, factoring in administrative duties alongside academic responsibilities. Bonuses or stipends may apply for leadership roles.
• Administrative Staff (e.g., Program Coordinator): Salaries often range from $40,000–$60,000 USD annually, influenced by experience and scope of duties. These roles may have less variability compared to academic positions.

Salaries at UNCW are generally competitive within the context of public universities in the southeastern United States, though they may lag behind private institutions or universities in higher-cost regions. As part of the UNC system, compensation is benchmarked against state standards for public sector employees, which can limit flexibility but ensures a level of equity across roles. Progression in salary often depends on achieving tenure, securing promotions, or taking on additional responsibilities such as administrative leadership or funded research projects. While specific individual salaries are not always publicly available, the university’s adherence to state transparency guidelines provides some insight into general pay structures for prospective employees.