Industrial and Faculty Salaries Compared in Two CRA Surveys

Data from two CRA surveys, the Salary Survey of Computer Science Researchers in Industrial Laboratories and the Taulbee Survey, have been compiled in a graph that compares industrial and faculty starting salaries. Figure 1 plots the mean minimum, mean, and mean maximum salaries from the two surveys, both conducted in late fall 1997. The results indicate that, roughly speaking, the mean 12-month industrial salary is about 143 percent of the mean 9-month university salary in these surveys.

CRA's Industry Committee, recognizing the need for a survey that explicitly addressed the issue of salaries paid to computer science researchers employed in industrial computer science laboratories, proposed that the industrial salary survey be initiated.

In November 1997, CRA conducted the first survey with nine companies, representing 655 individuals, participating. CRA staff analyzed the results and, because of the proprietary nature of the information, the summary data were distributed in January 1998 only to the companies that participated in the survey.

The survey asked for minimum, average, and maximum starting salaries for computer science Ph.D.s in computer science research positions at the experience levels of 1 to 5, 6 to 10, 11 to 15, and 16 to 20 years over a 12-month period. The experience level is plotted in Figure 1 at the points 3, 8, 13, and 18 years. (The 12-month salaries include the estimated value of bonuses and stock plans as determined by each respondent.)

The industrial salary data were compared to the data reported from the annual CRA Taulbee Survey. This survey covers the enrollment, production, and employment of Ph.D.'s in CS & CE, and salary and demographic data for faculty in CS & CE in North America. Preliminary salary data for faculty are published in Computing Research News each January, and the full results of the survey appear in the March edition. These data are used not only by academic institutions, but also by federal agencies, the media, and the computing industry as well. Last year, 135 departments responded to the Taulbee Survey.

The data used from the Taulbee survey assigns experience levels of 3, 9, and 22 years to assistant, associate, and full professors, respectively. (Experience levels are not asked for in the Taulbee Survey, which is why they needed to be assigned.) Figure 1 shows the 9-month salaries for the top 12 institutions (with the exception of the starting salaries at the experience level point of 0, which were taken over the whole U.S).

The 1998 CRA Taulbee Survey is currently under way; responses are due on November 13. The second CRA survey of industrial lab salaries will begin in early November, with results available in January 1999 to companies that participate.

Figure 1 is publicly distributed with the approval of last year's participating companies.