Financial Compensation of PhD Research Faculty in Academic Radiology: Trends and Disparities in the U.S.

Rationale and Objectives: The trends in compensation for academic radiology research faculty have not been thoroughly examined. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate recent trends in financial compensation for academic research faculty with PhD or other doctoral degrees, in academic radiology departments. Additionally, it analyzed the distribution of compensation based on rank, sex, and race/ethnicity within US medical schools. Methods: This study utilized the AAMC Faculty Salary Survey, which collects information on full-time faculty at U.S. medical schools. Compensation and salary data for radiology research faculty with an PhD or equivalent degree was collected and compared with clinical faculty compensation from 2021 to 2023. The data was stratified by rank, gender, and race/ethnicity. Results: The AAMC Faculty Salary Survey data for 2023 included responses from 1736 research faculty members across all academic radiology departments. From 2021 to 2023, median faculty compensation increased by an average of 4.09 to 13.50% per year, with the most significant increase at the Chief rank and smaller increases at more junior ranks. Male faculty members consistently earned more than their female counterparts at all ranks throughout the study period, with the salary gap widening for Associate Professors. Asian faculty had a lower median compensation compared to White faculty at lower ranks, except at the Associate Professor and Professor ranks. Finally, compared to clinical faculty, PhD research faculty showed a larger gender compensation gap compared to clinical faculty at the Associate Professor level, and a smaller gender compensation gap at Assistant and full Professor. Conclusion: In this study we summarize the trends in radiology research faculty compensation and highlight persistent salary inequities. Ensuring fair and adequate compensation is essential to attracting the best talent and advancing science in academic radiology departments.