Salaries at UTRGV

At the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), 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 fields like medicine, engineering, and business commanding higher compensation due to market demand. UTRGV, as a public institution, adheres to state guidelines for compensation, and while some salary data for public employees may be accessible through Texas state transparency initiatives, the university does not publish detailed, role-specific salary bands on its official website. Employees are generally placed within pay grades based on their qualifications and responsibilities, with periodic adjustments influenced by state budgets and performance evaluations.

• Assistant Professor: Typical salary range is $60,000–$80,000 USD annually, 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 per year. Mid-career faculty often see increments tied to tenure status and additional research funding.
• Full Professor: Salaries typically range from $100,000–$150,000 USD annually. Seniority, leadership roles, and external grants significantly impact earnings at this level.
• Department Chair: Compensation often falls between $120,000–$160,000 USD per year, reflecting administrative duties alongside academic responsibilities.
• Administrative Staff (e.g., Academic Advisor): Salaries range from $40,000–$55,000 USD annually, with variations based on experience and specific job functions.

Salaries at UTRGV are generally competitive within the context of public universities in Texas, though they may lag behind private institutions or universities in higher-cost states. As a public entity, compensation is often benchmarked against state salary schedules, with limited flexibility for bonuses or rapid progression outside of promotions or tenure milestones. Faculty and staff can expect gradual salary growth tied to experience and performance, though budget constraints at the state level may impact raises. For prospective employees, understanding the public sector framework and regional cost of living in the Rio Grande Valley is essential when evaluating salary offers.