Salaries at USC

Salary expectations at the University of Southern California (USC), located in Los Angeles, California, are influenced by several factors including role, academic rank, field of expertise, and years of experience. For academic positions, salaries often align with professorial ranks such as assistant, associate, or full professor, while administrative roles are determined by job scope and seniority. USC does not publicly publish comprehensive salary bands for all positions, though some data may be accessible through state or federal disclosures for public-facing roles or through aggregated reports. Salaries also vary significantly between disciplines, with fields like business, law, and medicine typically commanding higher compensation due to market demand and research funding opportunities.

• Assistant Professor: Typical salary range is $80,000–$110,000 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 $100,000–$140,000 USD per year, often reflecting mid-career status and additional responsibilities like mentoring or committee leadership.
• Full Professor: Salaries typically range from $150,000–$250,000 USD annually, with higher earnings in specialized fields or for those with significant research grants and publications.
• Administrative Director: Compensation ranges from $90,000–$130,000 USD per year, influenced by the size of the department and scope of responsibilities.
• Dean: Salaries often exceed $200,000 USD annually, reflecting senior leadership roles and the need to oversee large academic units or fundraising efforts.

USC salaries are generally competitive within the higher education sector, particularly when benchmarked against other top-tier private universities in the United States. Progression in academic roles often correlates with tenure, research output, and teaching evaluations, while administrative salaries may see increments based on institutional growth or performance metrics. While exact figures for individual roles are not always publicly disclosed, USC's compensation structure reflects its status as a leading research institution, often aligning with or exceeding national averages for similar positions. Employees may also benefit from additional perks such as health benefits, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities, which enhance overall compensation packages.