Understanding UCLA's Compensation Ecosystem

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), one of the nation's premier public research universities, offers a diverse array of high-paying positions that reflect its stature in academia, healthcare, and athletics. As part of the University of California system, UCLA employs tens of thousands across its sprawling campus, including the renowned UCLA Health system and athletic programs. Compensation here is competitive, driven by market demands, performance incentives, and the need to attract top global talent. While entry-level roles start modestly, senior positions in leadership, medicine, coaching, and specialized faculty roles command salaries often exceeding seven figures in total compensation.

Public transparency laws in California mandate disclosure of employee pay, allowing insight into these lucrative opportunities. Data from recent years shows that top earners frequently hail from athletics and healthcare, where bonuses, incentives, and clinical revenues boost base pay significantly. For aspiring professionals, UCLA represents a pinnacle for career advancement in higher education.

Athletic Powerhouses: Coaching Roles Leading the Pay Scale

🏈 UCLA's athletic department, home to the Bruins, features some of the highest-paid positions on campus. Head coaches for revenue-generating sports like football and men's basketball top the list, reflecting the massive economic impact of college athletics amid conference realignments and media deals.

The head football coach position stands out. DeShaun Foster, appointed in 2024, earns a base salary around $3.25 million, with potential total compensation climbing higher through incentives like bowl game appearances and Big Ten performance bonuses. Previously, Chip Kelly commanded up to $7 million in peak years. These roles demand proven recruiting prowess, program-building expertise, and navigating NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) dynamics.

• Intensive travel and recruiting schedules
• Performance-tied contracts with buyouts exceeding $20 million
• Perks including private jets and luxury suites

Men's basketball head coach Mick Cronin exemplifies basketball compensation, with annual pay reported at $6.1 million in 2025, including a recent extension through 2028. His defensive-minded approach has restored UCLA's elite status, justifying multimillion-dollar deals. Women's basketball and other sports coaches earn less but still six figures, underscoring football and men's hoops dominance.

Athletic directors and assistants also thrive, with coordinators pulling $500,000-$1 million. Success here translates to national championships and alumni donations fueling further raises.

UCLA Health: Executive and Clinical Leadership Salaries

UCLA Health, encompassing Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and other facilities, drives much of the university's top compensation. As an academic medical center, it blends patient care, research, and education, rewarding clinical productivity handsomely.

President and CEO Johnese Spisso oversees this $5 billion enterprise, with total pay exceeding $1.7 million in 2024 disclosures, including bonuses for operational excellence and expansion. COO, CFO, and CMO roles follow closely, often $700,000-$1 million base plus incentives.

Health Sciences Clinical Professors, particularly in surgery and specialties, shatter ceilings. Examples include Director of UCLA Men's Clinic Jesse Mills at nearly $4 million total in 2024, fueled by procedures and grants. Associate Clinical Professors like Jivianne Lee have hit $1 million+, blending teaching with high-volume practices.

These positions require board certifications, publications, and leadership in trials. For details on UC's wage data, explore the official UC annual wage database.

Academic Deans and Vice Chancellors: Steering the University

Deans of UCLA's 12 schools—such as the David Geffen School of Medicine or Anderson School of Management—earn $500,000-$800,000. Vice Chancellor John Mazziotta (SOM) topped $700,000 in older data, with current figures similar amid inflation adjustments.

These leaders manage budgets exceeding $100 million, faculty hiring, and fundraising. Executive Vice Chancellors and Provosts add research oversight, commanding comparable pay. New Chancellor Julio Frenk started at nearly $1 million base in 2024, succeeding Gene Block's $700,000 range.

Paths involve decades of scholarship, often PhDs plus administrative stints. Recent 4-5% systemwide raises keep pace with peers at Stanford or USC.

Distinguished Professors and Faculty Stars

While below executives, top faculty shine. Professor scales (Health Sciences Compensation Plan) range $307,000-$597,000 for seniors, off-scale for stars like mathematician Terence Tao ($500k+) or Nobel laureates.

Fields like medicine, law, business, and engineering pay premiums. Full Professors Step IX hit $250,000-$400,000 base, plus grants and consulting. Clinical tracks emphasize patient revenue, pushing totals higher.

• Define terms: Health Sciences Compensation Plan (HSCP) sets formulas based on work relative value units (wRVUs).
• Step-by-step advancement: Assistant → Associate → Full Professor via tenure reviews.

Equity studies ensure fairness across genders and disciplines. For scales, see UCLA academic salary scales.

Senior Staff and Specialized Administrators

Career Tracks structure non-faculty pay, with senior managers at $200,000-$400,000. VP Development Rhea Turteltaub earned $546,000; CFOs in health similar.

IT Directors, Research Compliance Officers, and HR Chiefs reach $300,000+. Transparent California data highlights these via public salary searches.

Navigating the Path to UCLA's Top Roles

Securing these demands elite credentials: Ivy PhDs for faculty, MBA/JD for admins, coaching pedigrees for sports. Networking via conferences, alumni events key.

Entry: Postdocs ($60k-$70k), assistants ($100k+), promotions via merit reviews. Diversity initiatives boost underrepresented applicants.

Trends: Rising Pay Amid Challenges

Post-2024 raises (4.2%), inflation, union pressures elevate scales. NIL and TV deals inflate coaching; healthcare expansions clinical pay. Future: AI research, sustainability deanships new highs.

Challenges: Buyouts, retention battles with privates.

Photo by Geoffrey Meyer on Unsplash

Insights for Career Seekers

UCLA prioritizes impact. Tailor applications to mission: innovation, equity. Leverage resources like career centers for insider tips.