Finding out what folks make at the nation’s first public university is kinda like peeling an onion. There are layers, and sometimes it makes you want to cry, especially if you’re looking at the gap between a Nobel-winning researcher and the person keeping the dorms clean. But honestly, salaries at UNC Chapel Hill are more transparent than most people think. Because it’s a state school, those numbers aren't some corporate secret locked in a vault. They’re public record.
You’ve probably heard the rumors. "The football coach makes millions!" (True). "Professors are all rich!" (Mostly false). "Staff are underpaid!" (Complicated). If you’re thinking about a job in Chapel Hill or you’re a taxpayer wondering where the money goes, you need the real dirt on how the pay scales actually function in 2026.
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The Big Picture: What’s the Average?
Basically, if you take every single person on the payroll and mash them together, the average salary at UNC Chapel Hill sits somewhere around $102,900. But let’s be real: averages are liars. When you have medical surgeons making $700,000 and entry-level administrative assistants making $45,000, that "average" doesn't tell the whole story.
Most people working on campus—the ones you see in the Pit or walking through Polk Place—are likely in the $54,000 to $85,000 range.
The cost of living in Orange County is no joke. Chapel Hill is expensive. Even with a decent-looking salary, many staff members find themselves commuting from Mebane or Durham just to find a house they can afford. It’s a constant point of tension between the university administration and the people who keep the lights on.
The Pay Gap: Faculty vs. Staff
There is a massive divide here. It’s not just about titles; it’s about how the money is funded. Faculty often bring in research grants, which can boost their "base" state salary significantly. Staff, on the other hand, are often tied to rigid state-mandated pay grades.
The Professor Life
If you’re a Distinguished Professor in the School of Medicine or Kenan-Flagler Business School, you’re doing great. We’re talking $300,000 to $500,000+. But if you’re an Assistant Professor in the humanities? You might be starting closer to $75,000 or $90,000. It sounds like a lot until you factor in the years of PhD debt and the local rent.
- Full Professors: Average around $180,000, though this varies wildly by department.
- Associate Professors: Usually land in the $120,000 range.
- Assistant Professors: Often start near $95,000.
- Lecturers/Adjuncts: These are the "gig workers" of academia, often making far less—sometimes under $60,000—despite carrying heavy teaching loads.
The Backbone (Staff)
Staff roles are the ones that actually make the university run. From IT support to HR and groundskeeping. As of early 2026, there’s been a major push to raise the floor. The university has been moving toward a $17 to $20 per hour minimum, but for many, it still feels like they're just treading water.
An Executive Assistant at UNC might pull in about $52,000, while a Clinical Research Coordinator—crucial for those big medical breakthroughs—averages around $69,000. It’s stable work with great benefits, but you aren't getting "Triangle Tech" money here.
Who are the Highest Paid Employees?
If you want to see the real "heavy hitters," look at the medical school and the athletic department. It’s not just the head coaches.
- Medical Specialists: Anesthesiologists and Surgeons like James Walker or John Ikonomidis have historically topped the charts, often earning over $750,000.
- Athletic Leadership: The Athletic Director and top-tier coaches (think Football and Basketball) are frequently the highest-paid individuals on campus, often with total compensation packages exceeding $1 million when you count incentives and media deals.
- The Chancellor: The top boss usually earns in the neighborhood of $650,000 to $700,000.
It’s worth noting that a lot of the "coach money" doesn't come directly from your tax dollars—it’s fueled by the Rams Club and TV contracts. But it still shows up in the public database, which always causes a stir during budget cuts.
The "UNC Database" and Transparency
North Carolina is actually pretty cool about this. You can go to the UNC Salary Information Database online and look up almost anyone by name.
Important Note: The database is a "snapshot." It shows the permanent salary as of a specific date. It might not show one-time bonuses, temporary "stipends" for taking on extra work, or money paid through UNC Health (which is a separate entity).
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If you’re hunting for a job, don't just look at the number. The "hidden" part of salaries at UNC Chapel Hill is the benefits. The State Health Plan and the TSERS retirement system are legendary. People stay at UNC for 30 years not because the monthly check is huge, but because the pension and the health insurance are safety nets you just can't find in the private sector anymore.
Pay Equity and 2026 Changes
There’s been a lot of talk lately about the North Carolina Equal Pay Act. Effective January 1, 2026, there are stricter rules about gender-based wage gaps. UNC has had to do some internal "house cleaning" to make sure two people doing the same job in different departments aren't getting paid wildly different amounts just because one department head was a better negotiator.
Also, the state minimum wage discussions have forced the university’s hand. You can’t hire a good lab tech for $15 an hour when the Target down the street is paying $19. Market pressure is finally starting to move the needle on those lower-tier staff salaries.
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How to Negotiate a UNC Salary
If you're applying, know that "the range" is real. If a job is posted with a range of $50k to $70k, the university almost never hires at the top of that range. They usually aim for the "market lead" or the midpoint.
- Check the State Grades: Look up the "SHRA" or "EHRA" classification for the role.
- Mention "Internal Equity": If you know someone in a similar role is making more, use that (tactfully).
- Don't forget the "Total Comp": If they won't budge on the salary, ask about professional development funds or flexible work schedules.
Actionable Steps for Navigating UNC Pay
If you are looking to benchmark your own pay or are considering a career move to Chapel Hill, here is how to handle the data:
- Use the official UNC Salary Database to see what your potential peers are making. Don't guess; the data is right there.
- Factor in the "Chapel Hill Tax." Use a cost-of-living calculator to see if a $60,000 salary in Chapel Hill actually goes as far as a $50,000 salary in a place like Greensboro or Winston-Salem. (Spoilers: It usually doesn't).
- Review the Benefits Summary. The state's contribution to your retirement is essentially a 6% to 14% "hidden" raise that you won't see in your base pay but will definitely see when you're 65.
- Look for "EHRA Non-Faculty" roles. These positions generally have more salary flexibility than "SHRA" (State Human Resources Act) roles, which are much more rigidly controlled by state government rules.