The College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) recently released findings from its 2011-12 Mid-Level Administrative & Professional Salary Survey. The overall median base salary increase for mid-level administrative jobs in colleges and universities in 2011 was 2.0%. In 2010, it was 1.3%. Similar to findings from CUPA-HR's other salary surveys, the median increase for public institutions was 1.4%, while the median increase for private institutions was 2.2%. This year's findings reflect the salaries of 193,248 job incumbents in public and private institutions nationwide.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers [CPI-U] in 2011 was 3.2% higher than in 2010. Therefore, the median salary increase of 2.0% was less than inflation for all institutions combined, and also for privates and publics when looked at separately.

Survey Participants
Salaries were reported by 1,084 institutions for 215 selected positions. Forty-five percent (489) of the respondents were from public institutions and 55% (595) were from private institutions. Salaries were reported in eight job categories: Academic Affairs; Business & Administrative Affairs; Human Resources; Information Technology; Athletics; Student Affairs; External Affairs; and Engineering/Research and Agricultural.

Data Breakdown
By Carnegie classification, doctoral, master's and baccalaureate institutions had the highest median salary increases at 2.0%. Special focus institutions had the smallest median salary increase at 1.5%. As with the overall median increase, however, these numbers are somewhat misleading. The median salary increase for public institutions ranged from 1.8% for doctoral institutions to 0% for special focus institutions. In contrast, for private institutions, median salary increases across all Carnegie classifications were higher than publics, ranging from 2.5% for doctoral institutions to 2.0% for baccalaureates.

Highest and Lowest Median Salaries
Among positions surveyed, the highest paid (excluding coaches) was that of Staff Physician ($134,808), followed by Staff Attorney and Veterinarian. The lowest paid position was that of Security Guard ($28,293), followed by Residence Hall Manager and Child Care Center Teacher.

Order Survey Results
To download a free Executive Summary, see a list of responding institutions, see data for selected positions, or order survey results for the 2011-12 Mid-Level Administrative & Professional Salary Survey, go to "Surveys" on CUPA-HR's home page (www.cupahr.org) and click on "Survey Results/Respondents." Full results can be purchased in two ways: (1) in a survey report, which provides in PDF format an overview of median salaries from all reporting institutions by affiliation, budget size and enrollment with comparative tables breaking down data by budget quartiles and institutional classification, and (2) in DataOnDemand, a hands-on application enabling users to conduct their own analyses using peer comparison groups that they create.

About CUPA-HR
CUPA-HR is higher ed HR. Its mission is to serve higher education by providing the knowledge, resources, advocacy and connections to achieve organizational and workforce excellence. The association's membership is institution-based and includes 92 percent of all U.S. doctoral institutions, 75 percent of all master's institutions, 60 percent of all bachelor's institutions, and almost 600 two-year and specialized institutions. Founded in 1946, CUPA-HR provides vital resources and professional development opportunities to more than 14,000 higher education HR professionals at more than 1,800 institutions.


Source: College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR)