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[Sam]

I've received an offer at the assistant professor level from a small private college. This is my first academic appointment post-PhD (i.e. I don't have tons of teaching experience). The salary offered is closer to the institution's average for a position at the Instructor level and is about $5800 less than the average for the assistant prof level.

Is it typical to negotiate over salary in a situation like this? If so, how?? Any advice, pointers, stories, etc. are appreciated.

Thanks.

[%sig%]

[Rock]

Congratulations Sam.

One thing you have to remember is that the average salary for an assistant professor includes faculty that have been at the institution for many years (usually 1-6 if 7th year is tenure).  Usually, there is room for negotiation.  However, if you do not have much teaching/research experience they probably won't be willing to budge that much.  Make a list of reasons why you think you deserve more $$ - then present it to them in a non-demanding manner.  

There has been much discussion on salary  negotiations on this web site, just do a search and you will find some great advice.
Good luck.

[profxfiles]

So much depends on the institution--when I took my first position, I called to try and negotiate my salary, as the offer put me in the bottom 3% of all t-t asistant profs in the US in my field, according to CUPA. I was told that, "there were over 100 applicants for your position-someone will take it at the the salary we offered you." Should have been a major RED FLAG--I left after just two years.