Professor Pay Gaps: Adjuncts Earning $20K While Admin Salaries Top $500K
You may have heard that teaching is a noble profession, but what you may not know is that adjunct professors, the ones who make up a significant portion of the teaching staff in colleges and universities, are struggling to make ends meet. In fact, according to recent reports, adjuncts are earning an average of $20,000 per year, while the salaries of top administrators can easily top $500,000. This stark difference in pay has raised questions about the fairness and sustainability of the higher education system. In this article, we will explore the issue of professor pay gaps, specifically the growing divide between adjuncts and high-ranking administrators.
The rise of adjuncts in higher education
In the past few decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of adjunct professors in academia. These are individuals who are hired on a contract basis to teach courses, usually without benefits or job security. According to a recent study conducted by the American Association of University Professors, more than half of all college and university faculty are now adjuncts, compared to just 30% in the early 1970s.
The rise of adjuncts can be attributed to budget cuts and the growing demand for higher education, which has led institutions to rely more on part-time and temporary employees to keep costs down. While this may seem like a cost-effective solution for colleges and universities, it has detrimental effects on adjuncts themselves, who are struggling to make a living wage.
The struggle of adjuncts
Despite having advanced degrees and being highly qualified to teach, adjuncts are paid significantly less than their tenured or tenure-track colleagues. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average adjunct salary is only $20,000 per year. This is far below the national average salary of $56,310 for all occupations.
Additionally, most adjuncts do not receive benefits such as health insurance or retirement plans, making it even harder for them to make ends meet. Many are forced to work multiple jobs or rely on government assistance to make up for the lack of income from their teaching positions. This not only affects their financial well-being but also their overall job satisfaction and quality of life.
The disparity in administrative salaries
On the other end of the spectrum, the salaries of top administrators in higher education have been steadily increasing. According to a report by the Chronicle of Higher Education, the median salary for college presidents reached $501,000 in 2017, a 5.3% increase from the previous year. This is in stark contrast to the stagnant salaries of adjuncts, who have seen little to no growth in their pay over the years.
The growing divide between the salaries of adjuncts and top administrators has raised concerns about the fairness and sustainability of the higher education system. How can an institution claim to prioritize education when its own employees are struggling to make a living wage?
The consequences for students
The impact of this pay gap goes beyond just the well-being of adjuncts. It also has consequences for the students who are paying exorbitant tuition fees for their education. With adjuncts being underpaid, overworked, and lacking job security, students are not getting the quality of education they deserve. This can lead to a negative impact on student outcomes, such as graduation rates and job readiness.
Moreover, the high turnover rate among adjuncts means that students are not getting the benefit of continuity in their education. They may have different instructors every semester, causing disruption in their learning and hindering their ability to build relationships with their teachers.
The need for change
The issue of professor pay gaps is a systemic one, and it requires a collective effort from various stakeholders to bring about change. Colleges and universities need to prioritize fair and equitable pay for all employees, including their adjunct faculty. This means allocating more resources towards increasing adjunct pay and providing them with benefits and job security.
At the same time, students, parents, and the general public need to demand greater transparency from colleges and universities about their spending and salary practices. It is crucial to hold institutions accountable for their actions and put pressure on them to make changes that benefit both their employees and their students.
The way forward
The professor pay gaps in higher education are a pressing issue that needs to be addressed immediately. It not only affects the well-being of adjuncts but also has consequences for students and the overall quality of education. Colleges and universities must reconsider their priorities and make the necessary changes to ensure fair and equitable pay for all their employees. After all, as renowned author and civil rights activist, Angela Davis once said, “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
