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[acadguy]

I need your advice/suggestions. I am pursuing a faculty (tenure track) job at an university. I am aware of the predecessor's salary for the position. I am better qualified than the predecessor in terms of degree (I have a PhD) and other avenues like well published, etc. Shouldn't I be compensated more than my predecessor's salary? Would that be fair to ask 6 to 8 grand more than that salary during negotiations?

Thanks in advance.

[nocalprof]

A little vague here - have you actually received an offer? (Don't worry about salary until you get an offer.)  Are you currently in the negotiation phase?

What sort of institution?

I need your advice/suggestions. I am pursuing a faculty (tenure track) job at an university. I am aware of the predecessor's salary for the position. I am better qualified than the predecessor in terms of degree (I have a PhD) and other avenues like well published, etc. Shouldn't I be compensated more than my predecessor's salary? Would that be fair to ask 6 to 8 grand more than that salary during negotiations?

Thanks in advance.

[mended_drum]

And, of course, how long did your predecessor hold that job and at what rank? 

[mouseman]

Add to that - what is the pay range?  If we're looking at > $70,000, than an increase of $6-$8K is only 10% more than your predecessor so it sis possible, but if you're talking about a pay of < $40,000, than you're asking for a 15-20% increase or more, and I would guess that they would be less likely to do so.

[larryc]

Is this make or break--would you turn it down at the lower salary?

[lurkingfear]

How many years was your predecessor in his/her position? This person likely got raises along the way and if you are coming in fresh from a PhD then it is unlikely that you can expect more than him/her, and will probably get less. If you are moving from another TT position then it's a different story.

[acadguy]

Thanks for the questions. Here you go: Predecessor was at asst prof rank for around 2 yrs and was making mid 50s. I am a active professional, (industry side) have a good job. Been in the industry for several yrs and trying to enter the academia. Yes, would turn it down if its too low (anything in the 50s). I am making in the 60s, ofcourse its 12 month versus this nine month for this job. Cost of living is lower around 6% compared to where I live. Its a public IIA university. Thanks!

[voxprincipalis]

Thanks for the questions. Here you go: Predecessor was at asst prof rank for around 2 yrs and was making mid 50s. I am a active professional, (industry side) have a good job. Been in the industry for several yrs and trying to enter the academia. Yes, would turn it down if its too low (anything in the 50s). I am making in the 60s, ofcourse its 12 month versus this nine month for this job. Cost of living is lower around 6% compared to where I live. Its a public IIA university. Thanks!

In this case, it is highly unlikely that your negotiations would succeed. Starting salary is probably in the low 50s. Of course there are some things that can be negotiated but asking for 6-8K more is more than a 10% hike.

For some fields, academia does not pay as well as industry, and if you are expecting it to (or are expecting to be able to demand a salary comparable to what you make in industry), you may be in for a rude awakening.

Do you actually have an offer, or is this all just conjecture?

VP

[totoro]

I can see no problem here in when you get the offer if it is less than your current salary asking for your current salary. The worst is they can say no. There is probably less negotiability though at a public uni vs. a private one.

[sagit]

You state that you have a PhD and imply that "predecessor" does not.  Does that mean predecessor does not have a terminal degree (or do they have some other kind of doctorate)?  If they do not have the PhD, it could mean that their starting salary was significantly lower than what you could potentially  be offered with the terminal degree.

[mouseman]

You state that you have a PhD and imply that "predecessor" does not.  Does that mean predecessor does not have a terminal degree (or do they have some other kind of doctorate)?  If they do not have the PhD, it could mean that their starting salary was significantly lower than what you could potentially  be offered with the terminal degree.

I missed that.  I'm not so sure how pay grade relates to degree in the OP's university, but there may be a substantial difference.  So, while the university may not agree to a 10% increase over the predecessor, I don't think that it would be out of the question for the OP to ask.

[voxprincipalis]

You state that you have a PhD and imply that "predecessor" does not.  Does that mean predecessor does not have a terminal degree (or do they have some other kind of doctorate)?  If they do not have the PhD, it could mean that their starting salary was significantly lower than what you could potentially  be offered with the terminal degree.

I missed that.  I'm not so sure how pay grade relates to degree in the OP's university, but there may be a substantial difference.  So, while the university may not agree to a 10% increase over the predecessor, I don't think that it would be out of the question for the OP to ask.

What gives me pause is that OP is trying to transfer in from industry and hopes to keep at that salary level. Few academic fields can match industry norms, especially in high-demand fields.

VP

[mouseman]

You state that you have a PhD and imply that "predecessor" does not.  Does that mean predecessor does not have a terminal degree (or do they have some other kind of doctorate)?  If they do not have the PhD, it could mean that their starting salary was significantly lower than what you could potentially  be offered with the terminal degree.

I missed that.  I'm not so sure how pay grade relates to degree in the OP's university, but there may be a substantial difference.  So, while the university may not agree to a 10% increase over the predecessor, I don't think that it would be out of the question for the OP to ask.

What gives me pause is that OP is trying to transfer in from industry and hopes to keep at that salary level. Few academic fields can match industry norms, especially in high-demand fields.

VP

You're right, and the OP shouldn't expect the same salary as she/he was getting in industry, or use his/her industry salary as a bargaining point.  However, the OP has a basis to negotiate a higher salary than his/her predecessor, using the argument that she/he is better qualified, academically (i.e., the PhD). 

[sturmunddrang]

You're right, and the OP shouldn't expect the same salary as she/he was getting in industry, or use his/her industry salary as a bargaining point.  However, the OP has a basis to negotiate a higher salary than his/her predecessor, using the argument that she/he is better qualified, academically (i.e., the PhD). 

The OP does not seemingly have prior teaching experience ["trying to break into academe"] while the predecessor could have been teaching at various institutions for years.   

It can't hurt for the OP to ask for something higher, but in the current economy at a public university, I wouldn't hold out a great deal of hope for a salary = to that earned in the private sector.

[totoro]

I can't see the harm in asking.