A Comparison of Salary Compression Models and Pay Allocation in Academia over Time

This study examined salary compression and pay inequity in a public university, using salary-related information from two periods five years apart. A comparison of four techniques of determining salary compression showed that compression changed over time as junior faculty were awarded tenure, faculty received raises, and senior faculty left. The results from the four techniques were consistent, but different conclusions can be drawn from faculty or administrative viewpoints. The authors discuss limitations of the study, faculty salary strategies, and implications for future research.