Jax State wage & salary trivia

What is a housekeeper’s starting hourly wage at Jax State?

• $15.00

• $13.30

• $11.15

• $10.54

Answer explanation

It's hard to believe, we know. Full-time housekeepers are some of the lowest paid workers on our campus, and they do some of the most important work. Their wages start at just $10.45/hr. That translates to $21,736 annual gross income (before taxes and deductions).

Housekeepers' wages have only increased about 26% since 2012. Inflation is about 34% across that same period, which means these workers have lost purchasing power since 2012. Housekeepers and other campus workers earn far below the $19.61/hr. needed to make a living wage in Calhoun County, according to the MIT Living Wage Calculator (https://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/01015

True or False: Jax State’s president makes in month as much as two housekeepers make in one year.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Believe it or not, it's true! The president, with his recent raise, now makes $45,000 per month. Housekeepers with less than five years at Jax State make anywhere from about $18,000 to $23,000 dollars per year, or about $1,500 to $1,900/month.

How much do most adjunct faculty (part-time faculty) get paid to teach a 3-credit hour class during a semester?

• $3,500+

• $3,000-$3,500

• $2,500-$3,000

• $2,000-$2,500

Answer explanation

Here at the Friendliest Campus in the South, adjunct faculty are part-time, (fire) at-will employees who receive no health insurance or benefits. Sounds friendly, right?!

Adjunct faculty are also horribly underpaid for the teaching they do. Most make just $2,000-$2,500 per 3-credit-hour course. A study in 2023 found that adjunct faculty pay nationally ranged from $3,300/course to $5,580/course.

What is the starting wage for student workers at Jax State?

• $15/hr

• $12/hr

• $10/hr

• $8.25/hr

Answer explanation

Student workers, break out the ramen!

What's worse!? Student workers, most of whom make $8.25/hr, are currently EXCLUDED from the university's current compensation plan, which calls for incremental raises for campus workers.

Pay for newly hired workers at local employers like Walmart starts at $14/hr.

What is the starting hourly wage for administrative assistants in academic departments at Jax State?

• $19-$20/hr

• $17-$18/hr

• $16-$17/hr

• $15-$16/hr

Answer explanation

Administrative assistants are the lifeblood of academic departments and other offices on campus. Without them, operations would shut down. These workers are required to possess a high school diploma and at least two years of clerical experience. But their pay starts at only $15.50/hour. That translates to a gross annual income of $32,000-$33,000 before taxes and deductions.

True or False: Graduate student workers receive insurance and benefits from the university.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Graduate student workers at Jax State face many obstacles in pursuing their degrees. At Jax State, they may receive a stipend or a tuition discount, but they do not receive any health insurance or benefits from the university.

United Campus Workers has helped grad workers on other campuses receive far more generous stipends and benefits. For instance, 9-month and 12-month graduate workers at the University of Tennessee now receive stipends worth $19,401 and $25,868 annually thanks to the union's efforts.

If you would like more information about our campus union, please input your non-JSU email address and personal phone number