Faculty Salary By Academic Rank at Northern Kentucky University
The 2025 average faculty salary is $78,532 at Northern Kentucky University across all academic ranks. NKU's faculty salary increased by 0.28% compared to the 2024 salary.
At Northern Kentucky University, by academic rank:
- The average professor salary is $102,622, representing a -1.34% decrease from the previous year (-$1,397).
- The average associate professor salary is $82,324, representing a 1.88% increase from the previous year (+$1,520).
- The average assistant professor salary is $86,331, representing a 2.06% increase from the previous year (+$1,742).
- The average lecturer salary is $59,967, representing a 1.26% increase from the previous year (+$749).
Average Salary by Academic Rank Chart
This chart summarizes average faculty salary by academic rank at Northern Kentucky University for the most recent year and the prior year.
The side-by-side bars compare current versus previous salaries for each rank, while the line shows the percentage change to highlight increases, decreases, or no change.
Faculty Salary By Gender
The following tables show the average faculty salary by academic rank and gender at Northern Kentucky University.
At NKU, the average male faculty's salary is $83,530 and female faculty's is $74,796. The difference in salary between male and female faculty $8,734, with male faculty' annual salary being 11.68% higher than that of female faculty.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $78,532 +$217 (0.28%) |
$83,530 -$252 (-0.30%) |
$74,796 +$873 (1.18%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $79,678 +$25 (0.03%) |
$84,003 -$122 (-0.15%) |
$76,067 +$548 (0.73%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No Faculty with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No Faculty with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | $98,025 +$1,407 (1.46%) |
$107,298 -$1,134 (-1.05%) |
$93,887 +$2,164 (2.36%) |
The average salary for NKU's 115 Professor is $102,622. By gender, the average male professor salary is $106,919, and that of female professor is $97,415. The salary difference between male and female professor is $9,504, which means male professor's salary is 9.76% higher than female professor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $102,622 -$1,397 (-1.34%) |
$106,919 -$2,072 (-1.90%) |
$97,415 -$122 (-0.13%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $104,017 -$1,236 (-1.17%) |
$108,377 -$1,522 (-1.38%) |
$98,567 -$297 (-0.30%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No Professor with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No Professor with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | $125,319 -$868 (-0.69%) |
$129,199 -$4,713 (-3.52%) |
$121,439 +$2,011 (1.68%) |
The average salary for NKU's 128 Associate professor is $82,324. By gender, the average male associate professor salary is $85,101, and that of female associate professor is $80,484. The salary difference between male and female associate professor is $4,617, which means male associate professor's salary is 5.74% higher than female associate professor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $82,324 +$1,520 (1.88%) |
$85,101 +$2,271 (2.74%) |
$80,484 +$1,164 (1.47%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $81,723 +$2,076 (2.61%) |
$83,644 +$2,496 (3.08%) |
$80,498 +$1,964 (2.50%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No Associate professor with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No Associate professor with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | $115,798 -$3,045 (-2.56%) |
$125,681 -$1,952 (-1.53%) |
$107,151 -$5,831 (-5.16%) |
The average salary for NKU's 61 Assistant professor is $86,331. By gender, the average male assistant professor salary is $89,115, and that of female assistant professor is $83,258. The salary difference between male and female assistant professor is $5,857, which means male assistant professor's salary is 7.03% higher than female assistant professor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $86,331 +$1,742 (2.06%) |
$89,115 -$1,413 (-1.56%) |
$83,258 +$3,948 (4.98%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $86,813 +$2,082 (2.46%) |
$89,890 -$981 (-1.08%) |
$83,516 +$4,203 (5.30%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No Assistant professor with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No Assistant professor with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | $102,681 -$7,080 (-6.45%) |
$103,335 -$10,500 (-9.22%) |
$101,373 -$4,314 (-4.08%) |
The average salary for NKU's 201 Lecturer is $59,967. By gender, the average male lecturer salary is $58,780, and that of female lecturer is $60,601. The salary difference between male and female lecturer is $1,821, which means male lecturer's salary is 3% lower than female lecturer's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $59,967 +$749 (1.26%) |
$58,780 +$79 (0.13%) |
$60,601 +$1,069 (1.80%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $58,016 +$422 (0.73%) |
$58,119 +$758 (1.32%) |
$57,943 +$160 (0.28%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No Lecturer with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No Lecturer with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | $86,070 +$2,214 (2.64%) |
$82,635 -$4,055 (-4.68%) |
$86,929 +$3,851 (4.64%) |
Faculty Salary Changes over Past 5 Years
The average salary for NKU faculty has increased 11.66%, from $69,374 to $78,532. Professor salaries increased by 3.28%, associate professor salaries increased by 10.89%, and assistant professor salaries increased by 20.95% at Northern Kentucky University.
| Year | All Faculty | Professor | Associate Professor | Assistant Professor | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,374 | $99,261 | $73,363 | $68,246 | - |
| 2020 | $71,877 | $105,234 6.02% | $76,486 4.26% | $74,480 9.13% | - |
| 2021 | $70,516 | $100,331 4.66% | $74,440 2.67% | $73,909 0.77% | - |
| 2022 | $72,531 | $102,906 2.57% | $76,206 2.37% | $77,102 4.32% | - |
| 2023 | $75,898 | $106,006 3.01% | $80,387 5.49% | $82,088 6.47% | - |
| 2024 | $78,315 | $104,019 1.87% | $80,804 0.52% | $84,589 3.05% | - |
| 2025 | $78,532 | $102,622 1.34% | $82,324 1.88% | $86,331 2.06% | - |
| 5 Years Change | $9,158 11.66% | $3,361 3.28% | $8,961 10.89% | $18,085 20.95% | - - |
Faculty Salary Trends Chart by Academic Rank
This interactive faculty salary trends chart shows year-by-year average salaries for all faculty, professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and instructors at Northern Kentucky University. It highlights long-term salary growth, rank-by-rank changes, and historical comparisons to help evaluate compensation trends and academic rank salary patterns over the past 5 years.
How NKU Faculty Salary Compared?
NKU's average faculty salary is $78,532. NKU's faculty salary is slightly higher than the national average faculty salary at four-years colleges ($73,709). Its salary is higher than the average salary of four-years colleges in Kentucky.
Northern Kentucky University is a Doctoral/Research University according to the Carnegie Classification. When compared Doctoral/Research University, its salary is similar to national average and slightly higher than Kentucky Doctoral/Research University.
| Average Faculty Salary | |
|---|---|
| Northern Kentucky University | $78,532 |
| Doctoral/Research University | $77,759 |
| Kentucky Doctoral/Research University | $70,302 |
| National Average (Four-years Colleges) | $73,709 |
| Four-years Kentucky Colleges | $63,406 |
Similar Schools' Faculty Salary
Compared to similar colleges such as University of Kentucky and University of Louisville, NKU's faculty salary is similar to the average salary ($77,503). You can compare the salary to analyze or make a decision.
| Average Faculty Salary | Number of Faculty | |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Kentucky University | $78,532 | 988 |
| University of Kentucky Lexington, KY | $108,250 | 2,208 |
| University of Louisville Louisville, KY | $86,684 | 2,091 |
| Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY | $73,212 | 942 |
| Murray State University Murray, KY | $70,683 | 566 |
| Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY | $70,289 | 980 |
| Morehead State University Morehead, KY | $69,910 | 400 |
| Kentucky State University Frankfort, KY | $63,491 | 135 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Faculty Salary at NKU
Here are some frequently asked questions about faculty salary at NKU, along with detailed answers based on the latest available data.
What is the average faculty salary at NKU?
The average faculty salary at NKU is $78,532 for the most recent year with available data. By academic rank, the average salaries are as follows:
- Professors: $102,622
- Associate Professors: $82,324
- Assistant Professors: $86,331
- Instructors: N/A
- Lecturers: $59,967
How does NKU's faculty salary compare to similar schools?
Compared to similar schools, such as Kentucky, Louisville, WKU and 4 other similar schools, NKU's average faculty salary is similar to the average salary of similar institutions, which is $77,503. Compare them in the table above.
How does NKU's faculty salary compare to four-years colleges nationally?
Compared to four-years colleges nationally, NKU's average faculty salary is slightly higher than the average salary of four-years colleges nationally, which is $73,709.
How does NKU's faculty salary compare to Doctoral/Research University nationally?
Compared to Doctoral/Research University nationally, NKU's average faculty salary is similar to the average salary of Doctoral/Research University nationally, which is $77,759.
What are the salary trends for faculty at NKU?
The salary trends for faculty at NKU over the past few years show that the average salary has NKU's faculty salary increased by 0.28% compared to the 2024 salary. For more detailed trends by academic rank, please refer to the faculty salary trends table and chart above.
What is the gender pay difference among faculty at NKU?
The gender pay difference among faculty at NKU is higher for male faculty by $8,734 (11.68%).
How many faculty members are included in the salary data for NKU?
The salary data for NKU includes a total of 505 faculty members across all ranks.
How does NKU's faculty salary compare to state averages?
Compared to state averages for public 4-year college, NKU's average faculty salary is higher than the average faculty salary for colleges in Kentucky, which is $63,406.