When we think of the most rewarding profession, being an educator or a professor is typically one of the first careers that come to mind. Without effective and passionate professors, there can be no progress in any of the various fields necessary for societal development. Professors have the power to influence and develop students’ full potential to grow into individuals everyone will admire. Undoubtedly, they have an indelible impact on the lives of their students and to the society as a whole. Thus, providing competitive salaries and benefits is a great way to show that their invaluable contribution is highly appreciated. This article will talk about one of the most prestigious universities across the world – Harvard University. If you are interested to know how much money professors in a world-class university make, this article is perfect for you. This article will focus on Harvard University Professor salary and other related information. Let us first take a closer look at Harvard University.
About Harvard University
Harvard University is considered as the oldest and most respected institution of higher education established in the United States. Harvard Schools are located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as well as in the Longwood and Allston neighborhoods of Boston, Massachusetts. It was named after its first major benefactor John Harvard. Harvard University was founded on the 8th day of September 1636 and is regarded as one of the most prestigious universities in the world. In fact, according to the 2022 Best Colleges Rankings of U.S. News and World Report, Harvard University placed second (2nd) among 1,466 colleges and universities featured. It is a university with exemplary academics through state-of-the-art resources and facilities, and world-renowned faculty, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, highly accomplished scholars, and other leaders of their fields.
Schools of Harvard University
Harvard University composed of the following schools that facilitate in creating a wide range of educational opportunities available for learners all around the globe with whatever interest:
- Harvard College (Undergraduate School)
- Twelve (12) Graduate and Professional Schools such as:
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS),
- Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS),
- Harvard Extension School (HES),
- Harvard Business School (HBS),
- Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM),
- Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD),
- Harvard Divinity School (HDS),
- Harvard Graduate School of Education (GSE),
- Harvard Kennedy School (HKS),
- Harvard Law School (HLS),
- Harvard Medical School (HMS), and
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH)
- Harvard Radcliffe Institute
Largest Endowment Among All Universities in the World
The University’s key financial asset, Harvard’s endowment, serves as a constant source of funding for both its teaching and research missions. More than 14,000 funds comprise the endowment, the majority of which are used to support undergraduate and graduate scholarships, professorships, student life and activities, and financial help for undergraduates. A portion of the endowment is distributed annually to fund the university’s budget, and any excess over this distribution is kept in the endowment so it can continue to develop and benefit future generations. As a result, the endowment can serve as Harvard’s financial foundation for many years to come.
Average Harvard University Professor Salary
According to Harvard’s official website, faculty salaries reflect compensation for a nine-month period during the academic year. For the convenience of professors and other faculty members, and to ensure that the benefits available to them will extend throughout the academic year, salaries are paid twelve equal installments issued on the last working day of each month.
According to Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the average salary for all faculty members at Harvard University is $188,515 based on a 9-month contract. The following are the average faculty salaries according to rank:
- The average Professor salary is $245,268
- The average Associate professor salary is $147,508
- The average Assistant professor salary is $133,516
- The average Instructor salary is $73,574
- The average Lecturer salary is $108,845
Undeniably, the quality of Harvard’s faculty is one of the major factors that makes it one of the world’s leading academic institutions. Thus, Harvard University is invested in providing competitive salaries for their invaluable part in delivering its mission of excellence in teaching and research.
Benefits of Being a Harvard University Professor
The Office of Faculty Development and Diversity (FD&D) is responsible in handling Harvard University’s faculty affairs and providing guidance to policies and practices in all areas of faculty affairs across the schools.
Aside from providing competitive salaries, Harvard offers a comprehensive package of benefits, perks, and services to recruit and retain outstanding faculty members. As a professor or a member of Harvard’s faculty, you have access to the following benefits:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
- Life and Disability Insurance Options
- Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts
- Work/Life Balance
- Transportation
- Legal and Identity Theft Coverage
- Discounted Pet Insurance
- Retirement Planning and Benefits
- Housing, Banking, and Home and Education Loan Services
- Athletics, Recreation, and Wellness
- Cultural Access with your Harvard University ID
Harvard also provides services and resources to help with family matters, legal difficulties, financial problems, personal problems, mental health, and crisis care through its Employee Assistance Program (EAP). You may also visit Harvard Human Resource website (hr.harvard.edu) for more details about the wide spectrum of benefits accessible to address the specific needs of Harvard’s professors and faculty members.
Helpful Tips to Qualify as a Harvard University Professor
For many educators, a Harvard professorship is an ideal position, but due to the rigorous selection procedure, only few have managed to turn it into their reality.
Harvard’s website states that its professors earned degrees from esteemed institutions and have published widely in their respective fields. Candidates must successfully complete a competitive hiring process and demonstrate their competence for about seven (7) to eight (8) years before being granted tenure at the university. The university must first determine whether a tenured professor has excelled in teaching, service, and scholarship before he or she will be promoted to the rank of full professor.
If you are aiming to become one of the faculty members of this respected university, you probably need a terminal degree to be considered for an elite professorship. Additionally, you should write widely in your field of expertise, generally aiming to expand knowledge through your studies, and have remarkable experience in teaching at the university level.
Despite of the rigorous selection process, as an equal opportunity employer, Harvard consider all qualified candidates for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, gender identity, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, pregnancy and conditions associated with pregnancy, or any other legally protected characteristics.
Conclusion
In order to recognize individuals whose ground-breaking work transcends the borders of numerous disciplines and enables them to pursue research at any of Harvard’s Schools, the title University Professor was established in 1935.
Indeed, being a member of a distinguished faculty that educates some of the world’s top students in Harvard University is a gratifying profession. By working as a professor in Harvard, you become part of a dynamic community that meaningfully strengthens Harvard’s world-changing objective, fosters innovation and teamwork, and increases knowledge and competence. Aside from that, you will be enjoying a wide range of benefits, perks, and services, along with the very competitive Harvard University Professor salary in support to the university’s top-notch academic atmosphere.