Trends in Higher Education Labor Force: Identifying Changes in Worker Composition and Productivity


 

Publication Date: April 2009

Publisher: Center for College Affordability and Productivity

Author(s): Daniel Bennett

Research Area: Education

Keywords: Worker Composition; Worker Productivity; Higher Education; Labor Force

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

This report will analyze employment trends and labor productivity at institutions of higher education over the past twenty years. What I find is that colleges have altered the composition of their work force by steadily increasing the number of managerial positions and support/service staff, while at the same time disproportionately increasing the number of part-time staff that provides instruction. Meanwhile, employee productivity relative to enrollment and degrees awarded has been relatively flat in the midst of rising compensation.