Study One

Study One was an externalmarket study comparing NMSU's Fiscal Year 20/21 compensation rates with those of other public research universities. Results of Study One indicated that some faculty members salary was below the 10th percentiel for comparable research universities. Funds were provided by the Provost's Office to address this situation in 2021.

2023 Update

As of March 1, 2023, NMSU addressed the gender pay gap by giving all female-identified, full-time Las Cruces faculty members a 1% equity adjustment in their base salaries. Because studies of market competitiveness and internal equity are never "done," a subsequent external market analysis study is being conducted in late spring 2023. A subsequent internal equity study is planned for 2024. 

• 2023 Committee Charge
• Updated 2023 Committee Bylaws

Study Two

Study Two was an internal analysis of NMSU's Fiscal Year 21/22 compensation rates to ascertain whether NMSU faculty salaries showed evidence of inequitable pay gaps based on gender or race-ethnicity. Study Two showed: 

• Robust evidence of gender pay gap of at least 1%, favoring men faculty (controlling for relevant variables such as discipline, rank, degree, years at NMSU). This is consistent with the U.S. controlled gender pay gap in 2022 (https://www.payscale.com/research-and-insights/gender-pay-gap/). 
• Some evidence of pay gap for American Indian/Native American and Black/African American faculty members. Although, the small number faculty in these groups makes a direct interpretation of these results difficult, a large majority of faculty in these groups are paid less than would be predicted if they were White men. 

Study Three

Study Three was a follow-up external market analysis comparing NMSU's compensation rates as of May 1, 2023 with those of other public research universities. The comparisons were made both before and after inclusion of the 6% raise approved by the NM State Legislature effective FY23-24. Study Three showed:

• Although faculty salaries remain below market, NMSU's competitiveness has improved.
• Comparisons of NMSU faculty salaries against R1 institutions indicate that NMSU faculty salaries remain a barrier to attaining R1 status.