Salaries at UW

At the University of Washington, located in Seattle, Washington, 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 fields like medicine, engineering, and business typically commanding higher compensation due to market demand. The university, as a public institution, adheres to state guidelines and often publishes transparent salary bands or ranges for various positions through public records or annual reports. These resources provide insight into compensation structures, though individual salaries may also be influenced by additional funding, grants, or performance-based incentives.

• Assistant Professor: Typical salary range is $70,000–$90,000 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 $90,000–$120,000 USD annually. Mid-career faculty often see salary growth tied to tenure status and publication records.
• Full Professor: Salaries typically range from $120,000–$180,000 USD per year. Seniority, leadership roles, and external research funding can push compensation higher.
• Administrative Staff (e.g., Program Coordinator): Salaries generally fall between $45,000–$65,000 USD annually. These roles may include bonuses or overtime pay depending on workload and responsibilities.
• Research Scientist: Compensation ranges from $60,000–$100,000 USD per year, often supplemented by grant funding or project-specific budgets.

Salaries at the University of Washington are generally competitive within the public university sector, often benchmarked against other Pac-12 institutions and adjusted for the high cost of living in Seattle. Progression in academic roles typically follows a structured path from assistant to full professor, with salary increases tied to tenure and merit reviews. As a public institution, compensation is also influenced by state budgets and funding priorities, which may limit rapid salary growth in certain years. However, the university's commitment to transparency ensures that prospective employees can access reliable data to set realistic expectations for their earning potential.