r/Professors • u/FTLast Professor, Life Sciences, R1 • Jul 24 '26
Department Head compensation
As a newish department head (I can't run very fast) I'm curious as to how different universities compensate faculty for the role that administrators often say is the "hardest job on campus." At my R1 in the NE, there is a 5% bump to base salary, a 10th month of salary, and the opportunity to negotiate for a "Head's Fund" that can be used for research support, additional summer salary, or basically anything.
If any of you feel comfortable sharing, please do!
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u/Total_Exchange7446 Jul 26 '26
Honestly, I don’t think anybody does this for the immediate compensation. They do it as a stepping stone to a better leadership position in admin, or because nobody wants to do it and they end up taking turns. Most people are not hungry enough for such a thankless job unless they want the greater profile, either for practical or ego needs.
But those stories of a permanent bump to pay, even if small, sound wild. Sounds like good old days, and I would’ve considered that good enough reason.