Lecturers' average pay hits £42K

Lecturers went on strike in the summer of 2006 over pay

Lecturers in higher education have seen their pay rise to more than £42,000, according to latest government figures.

Statistics compiled by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows full-time academics earned an average of £42,620 in the year to April 2007.

The employers' body claims the setting up of a pay negotiating committee has helped lecturers to a 25% increase in wages since it began work in 2001.

Unions claim the pay rises are down to hard bargaining on behalf of staff.

The ONS's annual survey of hours and earnings shows that higher education staff earn £10,000 more than lecturers in further education and £8,000 more than secondary school teachers.

Lecturers' pay is above the national average professional salary of £38,840 and higher than the pay of a pharmacist, vet or civil engineer.

We hope this satisfaction that the employers are showing in decent pay increases sets a healthy precedent for future negotiations Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary

Lecturers' pay has risen by 25.8% since the joint negotiating committee was set up in 2001, according to the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (Ucea).

Lecturers voted to accept a 13.1% pay deal over three years in July 2006 after a three-month dispute with employers.

Ucea chairman Prof Bill Wakeham said: "The UK higher education sector's on-going success story depends on the contributions of its staff.

"We need to attract, retain and motivate high performing staff and reward them accordingly.

"The most recent facts and figures on pay confirm that this is an excellent time to be working in the sector."

Table

The University and College Union (UCU) said Ucea did not deserve any credit for the pay rises.

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: "It is always interesting to hear the employers waxing lyrical about the pay increases delivered to university staff.

"Any increases are achieved because of industrial action staff are forced to undertake to drag the employers back to the table with an improved offer.

"We hope this satisfaction that the employers are showing in decent pay increases sets a healthy precedent for future negotiations."

The average salaries of other professions listed in the ONS survey include:

• further education teacher - £32,683
• primary and nursery school teacher - £31,883
• special needs teacher - £33,267
• secondary school inspector - £34,442
• vet - £36,635
• civil engineer - £35,618
• ophthalmic optician - £43,755
• pharmacist - £37,776