Faculty Salary By Academic Rank at Western Carolina University
The 2025 average faculty salary is $81,749 at Western Carolina University across all academic ranks. Western Carolina's faculty salary increased by 3.91% compared to the 2024 salary.
At Western Carolina University, by academic rank:
- The average professor salary is $109,028, representing a 3.02% increase from the previous year (+$3,199).
- The average associate professor salary is $81,745, representing a 2.90% increase from the previous year (+$2,307).
- The average assistant professor salary is $77,595, representing a 3.87% increase from the previous year (+$2,894).
- The average instructor salary is $56,208, representing a 3.39% increase from the previous year (+$1,841).
Average Salary by Academic Rank Chart
This chart summarizes average faculty salary by academic rank at Western Carolina 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 Western Carolina University.
At Western Carolina, the average male faculty's salary is $85,276 and female faculty's is $78,594. The difference in salary between male and female faculty $6,682, with male faculty' annual salary being 8.5% higher than that of female faculty.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $81,749 +$3,076 (3.91%) |
$85,276 +$2,352 (2.84%) |
$78,594 +$3,802 (5.08%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $82,415 +$3,100 (3.91%) |
$86,265 +$2,419 (2.89%) |
$79,100 +$3,761 (4.99%) |
| 10-Month Contract | $85,315 -$2,989 (-3.38%) |
$87,317 -$4,141 (-4.53%) |
$83,131 -$2,019 (-2.37%) |
| 11-Month Contract | $87,052 +$1,090 (1.27%) |
$62,414 +$6,270 (11.17%) |
$99,372 +$5,956 (6.38%) |
| 12-Month Contract | $105,944 +$7,351 (7.46%) |
$110,954 +$6,575 (6.30%) |
$100,006 +$9,049 (9.95%) |
The average salary for Western Carolina's 129 Professor is $109,028. By gender, the average male professor salary is $111,234, and that of female professor is $106,152. The salary difference between male and female professor is $5,082, which means male professor's salary is 4.79% higher than female professor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $109,028 +$3,199 (3.02%) |
$111,234 +$2,619 (2.41%) |
$106,152 +$4,224 (4.14%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $111,913 +$3,300 (3.04%) |
$114,386 +$2,739 (2.45%) |
$109,087 +$4,446 (4.25%) |
| 10-Month Contract | $114,343 +$1,874 (1.67%) |
$120,118 +$1,420 (1.20%) |
$102,793 -$1,891 (-1.81%) |
| 11-Month Contract | $105,443 +$5,285 (5.28%) |
- | $105,443 +$5,285 (5.28%) |
| 12-Month Contract | $126,278 +$5,267 (4.35%) |
$131,492 +$7,717 (6.23%) |
$109,333 +$2,140 (2.00%) |
The average salary for Western Carolina's 137 Associate professor is $81,745. By gender, the average male associate professor salary is $84,089, and that of female associate professor is $79,919. The salary difference between male and female associate professor is $4,170, which means male associate professor's salary is 5.22% higher than female associate professor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $81,745 +$2,307 (2.90%) |
$84,089 +$1,171 (1.41%) |
$79,919 +$3,427 (4.48%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $81,744 +$2,607 (3.29%) |
$82,588 +$711 (0.87%) |
$81,094 +$4,343 (5.66%) |
| 10-Month Contract | $83,903 +$1,892 (2.31%) |
$82,109 +$1,150 (1.42%) |
$85,338 +$2,486 (3.00%) |
| 11-Month Contract | $97,680 +$5,954 (6.49%) |
- | $97,680 +$5,954 (6.49%) |
| 12-Month Contract | $113,431 +$855 (0.76%) |
$128,611 +$1,973 (1.56%) |
$98,251 -$3,077 (-3.04%) |
The average salary for Western Carolina's 183 Assistant professor is $77,595. By gender, the average male assistant professor salary is $78,941, and that of female assistant professor is $76,402. The salary difference between male and female assistant professor is $2,539, which means male assistant professor's salary is 3.32% higher than female assistant professor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $77,595 +$2,894 (3.87%) |
$78,941 +$1,868 (2.42%) |
$76,402 +$3,565 (4.89%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $77,624 +$2,687 (3.59%) |
$80,294 +$2,350 (3.01%) |
$75,169 +$2,437 (3.35%) |
| 10-Month Contract | $69,315 -$17,827 (-20.46%) |
$62,000 -$37,886 (-37.93%) |
$76,629 +$2,232 (3.00%) |
| 11-Month Contract | $62,414 +$6,270 (11.17%) |
$62,414 +$6,270 (11.17%) |
- |
| 12-Month Contract | $112,209 +$13,904 (14.14%) |
$92,231 -$4,727 (-4.88%) |
$118,868 +$18,832 (18.83%) |
The average salary for Western Carolina's 108 Instructor is $56,208. By gender, the average male instructor salary is $56,208, and that of female instructor is $56,208. The salary difference between male and female instructor is -, which means male instructor's salary is -0% lower than female instructor's salary.
| Contract Length | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equated to 9-Month Contract | $56,208 +$1,841 (3.39%) |
$56,208 +$781 (1.41%) |
$56,208 +$2,692 (5.03%) |
| 9-Month Contract | $57,420 +$1,605 (2.88%) |
$59,080 +$1,065 (1.84%) |
$56,394 +$2,304 (4.26%) |
| 10-Month Contract | $63,740 +$1,856 (3.00%) |
$58,966 +$1,717 (3.00%) |
$68,514 +$1,995 (3.00%) |
| 11-Month Contract | $96,683 +$15,060 (18.45%) |
- | $96,683 +$15,060 (18.45%) |
| 12-Month Contract | $59,641 +$4,054 (7.29%) |
$58,135 +$4,630 (8.65%) |
$61,749 +$4,081 (7.08%) |
Faculty Salary Changes over Past 5 Years
The average salary for Western Carolina faculty has increased 13.75%, from $70,510 to $81,749. Professor salaries increased by 13.21%, associate professor salaries increased by 11.69%, and assistant professor salaries increased by 17.23% at Western Carolina University.
| Year | All Faculty | Professor | Associate Professor | Assistant Professor | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,510 | $94,622 | $72,185 | $64,227 | $45,375 |
| 2020 | $70,393 | $96,247 1.72% | $70,971 1.68% | $64,705 0.74% | $46,357 2.16% |
| 2021 | $70,708 | $97,626 1.43% | $72,806 2.59% | $66,487 2.75% | $44,850 3.25% |
| 2022 | $70,834 | $96,166 1.50% | $72,326 0.66% | $66,998 0.77% | $45,683 1.86% |
| 2023 | $76,259 | $104,961 9.15% | $76,331 5.54% | $71,400 6.57% | $50,468 10.47% |
| 2024 | $78,673 | $105,829 0.83% | $79,438 4.07% | $74,701 4.62% | $54,367 7.73% |
| 2025 | $81,749 | $109,028 3.02% | $81,745 2.90% | $77,595 3.87% | $56,208 3.39% |
| 5 Years Change | $11,239 13.75% | $14,406 13.21% | $9,560 11.69% | $13,368 17.23% | $10,833 19.27% |
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 Western Carolina 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 Western Carolina Faculty Salary Compared?
Western Carolina's average faculty salary is $81,749. Western Carolina'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 North Carolina.
Western Carolina University is a Doctoral/Research University according to the Carnegie Classification. When compared Doctoral/Research University, its salary is slightly higher than national average and similar to North Carolina Doctoral/Research University.
| Average Faculty Salary | |
|---|---|
| Western Carolina University | $81,749 |
| Doctoral/Research University | $77,759 |
| North Carolina Doctoral/Research University | $79,901 |
| National Average (Four-years Colleges) | $73,709 |
| Four-years North Carolina Colleges | $68,299 |
Similar Schools' Faculty Salary
Compared to similar colleges such as University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University at Raleigh, Western Carolina's faculty salary is lower than the average salary ($97,488). You can compare the salary to analyze or make a decision.
| Average Faculty Salary | Number of Faculty | |
|---|---|---|
| Western Carolina University | $81,749 | 769 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC | $136,550 | 2,519 |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC | $116,376 | 2,239 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC | $106,799 | 1,553 |
| North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC | $95,613 | 845 |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC | $90,363 | 1,133 |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC | $87,777 | 1,044 |
| East Carolina University Greenville, NC | $86,484 | 1,744 |
| North Carolina Central University Durham, NC | $86,065 | 480 |
| Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC | $85,312 | 331 |
| Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC | $83,537 | 379 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Faculty Salary at Western Carolina
Here are some frequently asked questions about faculty salary at Western Carolina, along with detailed answers based on the latest available data.
What is the average faculty salary at Western Carolina?
The average faculty salary at Western Carolina is $81,749 for the most recent year with available data. By academic rank, the average salaries are as follows:
- Professors: $109,028
- Associate Professors: $81,745
- Assistant Professors: $77,595
- Instructors: $56,208
- Lecturers: N/A
How does Western Carolina's faculty salary compare to similar schools?
Compared to similar schools, such as UNC, NCSU, UNC Charlotte and 7 other similar schools, Western Carolina's average faculty salary is lower than the average salary of similar institutions, which is $97,488. Compare them in the table above.
How does Western Carolina's faculty salary compare to four-years colleges nationally?
Compared to four-years colleges nationally, Western Carolina's average faculty salary is slightly higher than the average salary of four-years colleges nationally, which is $73,709.
How does Western Carolina's faculty salary compare to Doctoral/Research University nationally?
Compared to Doctoral/Research University nationally, Western Carolina's average faculty salary is slightly higher than the average salary of Doctoral/Research University nationally, which is $77,759.
What are the salary trends for faculty at Western Carolina?
The salary trends for faculty at Western Carolina over the past few years show that the average salary has Western Carolina's faculty salary increased by 3.91% 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 Western Carolina?
The gender pay difference among faculty at Western Carolina is higher for male faculty by $6,682 (8.5%).
How many faculty members are included in the salary data for Western Carolina?
The salary data for Western Carolina includes a total of 557 faculty members across all ranks.
How does Western Carolina's faculty salary compare to state averages?
Compared to state averages for public 4-year college, Western Carolina's average faculty salary is higher than the average faculty salary for colleges in North Carolina, which is $68,299.