Salaries at VCU

At Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), located in Richmond, Virginia, 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 and engineering typically commanding higher compensation due to market demand. VCU, as a public institution, adheres to state guidelines for salary structures, and while some salary data for public employees may be accessible through state transparency initiatives, the university does not publish detailed, role-specific salary bands on its official website. Employees are generally compensated based on standardized pay scales adjusted for seniority and performance metrics.

• 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 salary growth tied to tenure status and publication records.
• Full Professor: Salaries typically range from $100,000–$150,000 USD annually, with higher earnings in specialized fields like medicine. Seniority and leadership roles can push compensation higher.
• Administrative Staff (e.g., Program Coordinator): Salaries range from $40,000–$60,000 USD per year, often based on experience and scope of responsibilities.
• Department Chair: Compensation typically falls between $120,000–$180,000 USD annually, reflecting additional administrative duties and leadership expectations.

Salaries at VCU are generally competitive within the public university sector in Virginia, often benchmarked against other state institutions and adjusted to reflect cost-of-living considerations in Richmond. Progression in salary is tied to promotions, tenure, and performance reviews, though budget constraints typical of public universities may limit rapid increases. For prospective employees, it’s worth noting that while some salary information for public roles may be accessible through state databases, comprehensive and up-to-date data for specific positions at VCU is not always publicly available. Overall, VCU strives to balance competitive pay with the fiscal realities of operating as a public institution.