Academic rank and salary status of medical laboratory sciences faculty

The combined emergence of medical laboratory science as a body of knowledge and the emphasis of decreasing the use of health care funds for education have occasioned the development of medical technology programs as academic programs and the employment of qualified laboratory practitioners in university faculty positions. Establishment and maintenance of strong educational programs in the university setting requires that faculty salaries compare favorably with those available in clinical practice and that faculty members meet their institutions's criteria for appointment/promotion at each academic rank. Twenty institutions of higher education with medical technology programs organized as academic departments were surveyed in 1978 and 1980 to determine faculty size, salaries by rank and increases over two years, and criteria for appointment/promotion at each academic rank. Salary data are compared with clinical practice and with other academic disciplines. Data presented will be of value to existing and planned programs and to individuals considering an academic position.