Faculty Salary By Academic Rank at University of Colorado Boulder
The 2025 average faculty salary is $119,920 at University of Colorado Boulder across all academic ranks. CU Boulder's faculty salary increased by 2.37% compared to the 2024 salary.
At University of Colorado Boulder, by academic rank:
- The average professor salary is $165,206, representing a 3.21% increase from the previous year (+$5,144).
- The average associate professor salary is $120,703, representing a 4.49% increase from the previous year (+$5,191).
- The average assistant professor salary is $117,345, representing a 3.68% increase from the previous year (+$4,168).
- The average instructor salary is $79,661, representing a 7.95% increase from the previous year (+$5,869).
Average Salary by Academic Rank Chart
This chart summarizes average faculty salary by academic rank at University of Colorado Boulder 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 University of Colorado Boulder.
At CU Boulder, the average male faculty's salary is $127,560 and female faculty's is $109,811. The difference in salary between male and female faculty $17,749, with male faculty' annual salary being 16.16% higher than that of female faculty.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $119,920 +$2,774 (2.37%) |
$127,560 +$3,258 (2.62%) |
$109,811 +$2,769 (2.59%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $119,920 +$2,774 (2.37%) |
$127,560 +$3,258 (2.62%) |
$109,811 +$2,769 (2.59%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No Faculty with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No Faculty with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | No Faculty with 12-Month Contract | ||
The average salary for CU Boulder's 515 Professor is $165,206. By gender, the average male professor salary is $167,762, and that of female professor is $159,482. The salary difference between male and female professor is $8,280, which means male professor's salary is 5.19% higher than female professor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $165,206 +$5,144 (3.21%) |
$167,762 +$6,215 (3.85%) |
$159,482 +$3,052 (1.95%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $165,206 +$5,144 (3.21%) |
$167,762 +$6,215 (3.85%) |
$159,482 +$3,052 (1.95%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No Professor with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No Professor with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | No Professor with 12-Month Contract | ||
The average salary for CU Boulder's 379 Associate professor is $120,703. By gender, the average male associate professor salary is $123,755, and that of female associate professor is $116,615. The salary difference between male and female associate professor is $7,140, which means male associate professor's salary is 6.12% higher than female associate professor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $120,703 +$5,191 (4.49%) |
$123,755 +$5,056 (4.26%) |
$116,615 +$5,279 (4.74%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $120,703 +$5,191 (4.49%) |
$123,755 +$5,056 (4.26%) |
$116,615 +$5,279 (4.74%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No Associate professor with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No Associate professor with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | No Associate professor with 12-Month Contract | ||
The average salary for CU Boulder's 292 Assistant professor is $117,345. By gender, the average male assistant professor salary is $122,114, and that of female assistant professor is $112,705. The salary difference between male and female assistant professor is $9,409, which means male assistant professor's salary is 8.35% higher than female assistant professor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $117,345 +$4,168 (3.68%) |
$122,114 +$4,290 (3.64%) |
$112,705 +$4,696 (4.35%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $117,345 +$4,168 (3.68%) |
$122,114 +$4,290 (3.64%) |
$112,705 +$4,696 (4.35%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No Assistant professor with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No Assistant professor with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | No Assistant professor with 12-Month Contract | ||
The average salary for CU Boulder's 568 Instructor is $79,661. By gender, the average male instructor salary is $82,517, and that of female instructor is $76,845. The salary difference between male and female instructor is $5,672, which means male instructor's salary is 7.38% higher than female instructor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $79,661 +$5,869 (7.95%) |
$82,517 +$6,901 (9.13%) |
$76,845 +$4,876 (6.78%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $79,661 +$5,869 (7.95%) |
$82,517 +$6,901 (9.13%) |
$76,845 +$4,876 (6.78%) |
| 10-Month Contract | No Instructor with 10-Month Contract | ||
| 11-Month Contract | No Instructor with 11-Month Contract | ||
| 12-Month Contract | No Instructor with 12-Month Contract | ||
Faculty Salary Changes over Past 5 Years
The average salary for CU Boulder faculty has increased 12.31%, from $105,159 to $119,920. Professor salaries increased by 13.15%, associate professor salaries increased by 14.38%, and assistant professor salaries increased by 15.88% at University of Colorado Boulder.
| Year | All Faculty | Professor | Associate Professor | Assistant Professor | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,159 | $143,485 | $103,345 | $98,706 | $64,068 |
| 2020 | $107,043 | $147,093 2.51% | $106,121 2.69% | $101,761 3.10% | $66,548 3.87% |
| 2021 | $101,556 | $137,582 6.47% | $98,962 6.75% | $99,682 2.04% | $64,427 3.19% |
| 2022 | $108,398 | $149,696 8.80% | $105,942 7.05% | $103,667 4.00% | $69,297 7.56% |
| 2023 | $113,287 | $158,865 6.13% | $110,774 4.56% | $109,025 5.17% | $71,035 2.51% |
| 2024 | $117,146 | $160,062 0.75% | $115,512 4.28% | $113,177 3.81% | $73,792 3.88% |
| 2025 | $119,920 | $165,206 3.21% | $120,703 4.49% | $117,345 3.68% | $79,661 7.95% |
| 5 Years Change | $14,761 12.31% | $21,721 13.15% | $17,358 14.38% | $18,639 15.88% | $15,593 19.57% |
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 University of Colorado Boulder. 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 CU Boulder Faculty Salary Compared?
CU Boulder's average faculty salary is $119,920. CU Boulder's faculty salary is much higher than the national average faculty salary at four-years colleges ($73,709). Its salary is also well above the average salary ($75,860) of four-years colleges in Colorado.
University of Colorado Boulder is a R1: Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification. When compared R1: Doctoral Universities, its salary is slightly lower than national average and similar to Colorado R1: Doctoral Universities.
| Average Faculty Salary | |
|---|---|
| University of Colorado Boulder | $119,920 |
| R1: Doctoral Universities | $128,754 |
| Colorado R1: Doctoral Universities | $115,778 |
| National Average (Four-years Colleges) | $73,709 |
| Four-years Colorado Colleges | $75,860 |
Similar Schools' Faculty Salary
Compared to similar colleges such as Colorado School of Mines and University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, CU Boulder's faculty salary is higher than the average salary ($91,793). You can compare the salary to analyze or make a decision.
| Average Faculty Salary | Number of Faculty | |
|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Boulder | $119,920 | 2,580 |
| Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO | $126,001 | 445 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, CO | $107,980 | 6,194 |
| Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO | $106,952 | 2,275 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO | $91,331 | 1,457 |
| Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs, CO | $84,758 | 538 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO | $84,275 | 789 |
| Arapahoe Community College Littleton, CO | $82,001 | 527 |
| University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO | $81,228 | 679 |
| Red Rocks Community College Lakewood, CO | $77,367 | 288 |
| Community College of Denver Denver, CO | $76,041 | 328 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Faculty Salary at CU Boulder
Here are some frequently asked questions about faculty salary at CU Boulder, along with detailed answers based on the latest available data.
What is the average faculty salary at CU Boulder?
The average faculty salary at CU Boulder is $119,920 for the most recent year with available data. By academic rank, the average salaries are as follows:
- Professors: $165,206
- Associate Professors: $120,703
- Assistant Professors: $117,345
- Instructors: $79,661
- Lecturers: N/A
How does CU Boulder's faculty salary compare to similar schools?
Compared to similar schools, such as Mines, UCD, Colorado State University-Fort Collins and 7 other similar schools, CU Boulder's average faculty salary is higher than the average salary of similar institutions, which is $91,793. Compare them in the table above.
How does CU Boulder's faculty salary compare to four-years colleges nationally?
Compared to four-years colleges nationally, CU Boulder's average faculty salary is much higher than the average salary of four-years colleges nationally, which is $73,709.
How does CU Boulder's faculty salary compare to R1: Doctoral Universities nationally?
Compared to R1: Doctoral Universities nationally, CU Boulder's average faculty salary is slightly lower than the average salary of R1: Doctoral Universities nationally, which is $128,754.
What are the salary trends for faculty at CU Boulder?
The salary trends for faculty at CU Boulder over the past few years show that the average salary has CU Boulder's faculty salary increased by 2.37% 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 CU Boulder?
The gender pay difference among faculty at CU Boulder is higher for male faculty by $17,749 (16.16%).
How many faculty members are included in the salary data for CU Boulder?
The salary data for CU Boulder includes a total of 1,754 faculty members across all ranks.
How does CU Boulder's faculty salary compare to state averages?
Compared to state averages for public 4-year college, CU Boulder's average faculty salary is much higher than the average faculty salary for colleges in Colorado, which is $75,860.