Higher Education Employment Report...The market share of jobs in higher education, which is the...

Q4 & Annual 2014 HIGHER EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT REPORT 1

Higher Education Employment Report

Fourth Quarter & Annual, 2014 / Published February 2015

Executive Summary

The number of jobs in higher education was essentially unchanged in Q4 2014. The relatively small increases and

decreases for almost two years may indicate employment in higher education is relatively stable for the time being,

according to data from federal statistical sources and analyzed by HigherEdJobs. The Q4 2014 market share of

higher education jobs compared to all U.S. jobs continued to decline due to strong overall job growth rather than a

decline in higher education job growth.

Meanwhile, the number of advertisements for job postings in academia continued to increase in Q4 2014, and at a

faster pace from a year ago, but this may be a sign that institutions are simply adjusting the timeline for advertising

open positions as the annual growth in postings has been steady for the past three years. Additionally, job postings

for part-time faculty continued to experience declining growth. In fact, for the first time in three years, postings for full-

time faculty grew at a faster rate than postings for part-time faculty.

As of the fourth quarter of 2014, analyses of U.S. Department of Labor / Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on

higher education employment as well as job posting trends with HigherEdJobs found:

The recent downward trend in higher education

jobs appears to have stalled, at least temporarily.

After a slight uptick in jobs in Q3 2014, there was

essentially no change in Q4 2014.

The number of advertisements for job openings in

higher education experienced accelerated growth

in Q4 2014.

The ratio of faculty to non-faculty (administrative

and executive) postings declined markedly in Q4

2014.

While the number of job postings for both part-

time and full-time higher education positions

continued to rise in Q4 2014, the trend of

increasing part-time postings appears to be

slowing relative to the full-time postings trend.

For the first time in three years, postings for full-

time faculty grew at a faster rate than postings for

part-time faculty.

The number of advertised job openings at

community colleges increased in Q4 2014, but at a

much slower rate than the previous year.

Meanwhile, the number of jobs at community

colleges continued to decline, but at a slower rate.

The Midwest region experienced the largest

percentage increase in higher education job

postings in Q4 2014; however, the Pacific division

in the West region experienced the largest

divisional increase.

John Ikenberry, Ph.D., President and Co-Founder HigherEdJobs 328 Innovation Boulevard, Suite 235 State College, PA 16803 [email protected] 814-861-3080 (ext. 202)

● SPECIAL FOCUS ●

STUDENT AFFAIRS JOB POSTINGS

Postings for jobs in student affairs and services

experienced accelerated growth in Q4 2014. The

annual trend for jobs in this area has also been

positive, increasing every year since 2011, though

at a decelerating rate.


About HigherEdJobs® HigherEdJobs is the leading source for jobs and

career information in academia. The company’s web

site, www.higheredjobs.com, receives more than

1,000,000 unique visitors a month. During 2014, more

than 5,300 colleges and universities posted 159,000

faculty, administrative, and executive job postings to

HigherEdJobs.

Founded in 1996, HigherEdJobs’ mission is to help

higher education candidates and employers connect

with one another to find their dream job, or employee,

as quickly as possible with the least amount of effort.

HigherEdJobs is published by Internet Employment

Linkage, Inc. (IEL). IEL is headquartered in State

College, Pa., and has an accounting and operations

office in Oak Park, Ill.

About this Report The HigherEdJobs Higher Education Employment

Report, published quarterly, provides summary

information about employment within the higher

education community. The goal of the report is to help

academic leaders and policymakers better appreciate

the trends we are experiencing with employment in

real time. Those seeking jobs should also appreciate

these same data.

As background to some of the statistics we are

reporting here, we define Higher Education

Employment to include all types of employment at

four-year colleges and universities as well as two-year

community colleges.

Findings on jobs in higher education and the U.S.

economy are based on data from the U.S.

Department of Labor / Bureau of Labor Statistics

(BLS). Except where indicated otherwise, findings on

advertised job postings in higher education are based

on posting data from U.S. colleges and universities

that have been continually subscribed to the

HigherEdJobs unlimited posting plan since January

2010, a cohort of roughly 900 institutions. Each of the

institutions included in this report has paid a flat fee

for unlimited advertising and, consequently, has no

financial deterrent to discourage it from posting any

job opening on HigherEdJobs.

The Higher Education Employment Report is

produced by HigherEdJobs with critical analysis and

expertise provided by Bruce Steinberg

(www.brucesteinberg.net), an independent

employment researcher.


Finding: The recent downward trend in higher education jobs appears to have stalled, at least temporarily. After a slight uptick in jobs in Q3 2014, there was essentially no change in Q4 2014.

Higher Education Jobs Compared to All U.S. Jobs (Monthly)

Source: HigherEdJobs®, based on U.S. Department of Labor / Bureau of Labor Statistics data, which are subject to revisions.

(Note: Yellow markers are December data and presented for ease of year-over-year comparison.)

The number of jobs in higher education was essentially unchanged in Q4 2014 compared to the prior year, which

followed a small increase in Q3 2014. This trend appears to have shadowed an almost two-year period of similar small

up and down movements. In Q4 2014, the number of higher education jobs was essentially flat with a decline of 0.01

percent, or about 100 jobs, according to an analysis of the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In Q3

2014, the number of higher education jobs increased 0.6 percent, or about 8,800 jobs. The relatively small range of

changes (from -0.01 percent to + 0.6 percent) observed for the past seven quarters could indicate that the staffing

level in academe is fairly stable, at least for the time being.

The market share of jobs in higher education, which is the ratio of higher education jobs compared to overall U.S.

jobs, continued to wane in Q4 2014 as well as for

2014 overall. While higher education employment

has been relatively flat, the overall U.S. job market

has continued to improve, causing a decline in

higher education’s share of total U.S. employment.

Although the total number of jobs in higher

education was essentially unchanged in Q4 2014,

a further analysis of BLS data shows that four-year

colleges and universities gained 2,300 jobs, or 0.1

percent. Meanwhile, the community college sector

lost 2,400 jobs, or 3.3 percent of its workforce, in

Q4 2014. (Community college employment trends

discussed in further detail on page eight.)

Year-over-year percent change in: Higher education jobs as percent of

all jobs

Higher education jobs

Total overall non-farm jobs

Year Annual Q4 Q4 Annual Q4

2014 0.2 -0.01 2.14 1.28 1.36

2013 0.2 -0.11 1.82 1.30 1.39

2012 2.3 1.55 1.66 1.32 1.41

2011 2.4 2.36 1.52 1.31 1.42

2010 2.8 2.65 0.60 1.30 1.40

2009 2.7 2.37 -4.15 1.25 1.38

2008 2.7 2.01 -1.99 1.17 1.29

Source: HigherEdJobs analysis of U.S. Department of Labor / Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

The federal government does not measure “higher education employment or jobs” per se. The term as used in this report is the

combination of two NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) sectors: Junior Colleges (NAICS 611200), and Colleges

and Universities (NAICS 611300). The data are reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the U.S. Department of Labor.


The blue bars (December data highlighted in yellow for ease of year-over-year comparisons) in the chart above signify monthly job

openings posted to HigherEdJobs by U.S. colleges and universities that have continuously subscribed to the company’s unlimited

posting plan since Jan. 1, 2010 (roughly equating to the retail sector’s reporting of annual changes of “same-store sales”).

Finding: The number of advertisements for job openings in higher education experienced accelerated growth in Q4 2014.

HigherEdJobs' Postings Compared to All Higher Education Jobs

Sources: HigherEdJobs® posting data from continuing unlimited posting subscribers; higher education jobs based upon

HigherEdJobs analysis of U.S. Department of Labor / Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

The number of advertised job openings in academia grew 16.8 percent from Q4 2013 to Q4 2014, which was a greater

rate of increase than the 12.3 percent growth rate observed the prior year (from Q4 2012 to Q4 2013). However, on an

annual basis, the growth rate from 2012 to 2014, inclusive, has been relatively stable. These data are based on the total

number of postings from colleges and universities continually subscribed to HigherEdJobs’ unlimited posting plan for

four years or more (a cohort of roughly 900 institutions).

The annual growth rate for higher education job

postings has remained almost unchanged over

the last three years. During 2012, 2013, and

2014, the number of job advertisements in higher

education increased 13.8, 13.7, and 13.9 percent,

respectively.

One possible explanation for how the quarterly

postings trend could increase but the annual trend

remain unchanged, is that perhaps institutions are

shifting when they conduct their job searches in

the course of the academic year.

The relatively steady annual growth rate for higher

education job postings compared to the lower rate of growth for higher education employment could indicate that

colleges and universities are experiencing higher overall employee turnover. Potentially, institutions may be posting

more jobs because they are simultaneously losing an increasing number of employees either to retirement or to other

institutions, leaving the total number of higher education jobs relatively unchanged.

Year-over-year change (in percent)

Year HigherEdJobs

postings Annual

HigherEdJobs postings

Q4

Total Higher Education

Jobs Annual

Total Higher Education

Jobs Q4

2014 13.9 16.8 0.2 -0.01

2013 13.7 12.3 0.2 -0.11

2012 13.8 8.4 2.3 1.55

2011 21.4 16.0 2.4 2.36

Sources: HigherEdJobs posting data from continuing unlimited posting subscribers; Higher education jobs based on HigherEdJobs analysis of U.S. Department of Labor / Bureau of Labor Statistics data.


Finding: The ratio of faculty to non-faculty (administrative and executive) postings declined markedly in Q4 2014.

Faculty Job Postings Compared to Administrative and Executive Job Postings

Source: HigherEdJobs® posting data from continuing unlimited posting subscribers.

The ratio of faculty job postings to administrative and executive job postings declined in Q4 2014 and by a

noteworthy amount. From Q4 2013 to Q4 2014, the ratio of job postings for faculty positions decreased 3.8

percentage points, from 37.5 percent to 33.7 percent. This is a relatively large variance when compared to the 2.2

percent decrease from Q4 2012 to Q4 2013, and the 0.2 percent increase from Q4 2011 to Q4 2012.

The relatively large decline in the portion of job postings for faculty positions in Q4 2014 could indicate lessening

demand to fill vacant faculty positions or to create new ones – or possibly that existing faculty are staying in their

current positions.

While the ratio of faculty to administrative and

executive job postings decreased in Q4 2014,

the actual number of advertisements for faculty

positions increased 5.0 percent. However, this

was less than the 6.2 percent increase in Q4

2013, as well as the 8.8 percent increase in Q4

2012.

In contrast to declining growth of faculty job

postings, the actual number of administrative

and executive postings has increased at an

accelerated rate. In Q4 2014, the number of

administrative and executive job postings rose

23.9 percent compared to Q4 2013, which was

greater than the 16.3 percent growth seen in

Q4 2013 and the 8.2 percent growth in Q4

2012.

Percent of job postings that were:

Quarter Four Annual

Year Faculty

Positions Administrative and Executive Positions

Faculty

Positions Administrative and Executive Positions

2014 33.7 66.3

29.6 70.4

2013 37.5 62.5

31.1 68.9

2012 39.7 60.3

31.9 68.1

2011 39.5 60.5

32.8 67.2

2010 40.4 59.6

35.0 65.0

Source: HigherEdJobs posting data from continuing unlimited posting subscribers.

Note: No distinction is made between tenure track and non-tenure track faculty positions. Administrative and executive positions

cover a wide variety of jobs including academic VPs, provosts, deans, IT managers, network administrators, fundraisers,

administrative assistants, counselors, comptrollers, etc.


Finding: While the number of job postings for both part-time and full-time higher education positions continued to rise in Q4 2014, the trend of increasing part-time postings appears to be slowing relative to the full-time postings trend.

Average Percentage of Part-Time Postings


Job postings for full-time and part-time positions both increased in Q4 2014 compared to the same quarter a year

earlier. Part-time job postings increased 21.8 percent in Q4 2014 while full-time job postings increased 17.0 percent.

The ratio of part-time to full-time job postings decreased by 0.3 percentage points during Q4 2014 compared to the

same period the year before (from 17.2 percent to 16.9 percent).

However, on an annual basis, the trend showed an overall

increase in the percentage of job postings for part-time

positions, increasing from 16.4 percent of all jobs posted in

2013 to 17.4 percent in 2014. As observed in previous editions

of this report, although the historic rates of change for these

metrics often fluctuate, the changes in Q4 2014 could indicate

some moderation of a strategy to utilize part-time positions to fill

staffing requirements.

Although one datum point does not indicate a trend, the portion

of job postings for part-time positions appears to be waning.

This observation is consistent with a January 2015 report by the

Center for the Study of Academic Labor at Colorado State

University indicating that institutions may be combining some

part-time positions into full-time positions.

Average percentage of part-time postings

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

14.5 14.9 15.3 16.4 17.4

Q4 2010

Q4 2011

Q4 2012

Q4 2013

Q4 2014

14.2 14.2 16.2 17.2 16.9

Change in number of part-time job postings (in percent)

Q4

2011 Q4

2012 Q4

2013 Q4

2014

16.1 18.9 19.6 21.8

Change in number of full-time job postings (in percent)

Q4

2011 Q4

2012 Q4

2013 Q4

2014

16.0 6.9 11.1 17.0



Finding: For the first time in three years, postings for full-time faculty grew at a faster rate than postings for part-time faculty.

Portion of Job Postings that are Part-Time


The overall trends for part-time faculty and part-

time administrative job postings were similar to

one another in Q4 2014 – they both rose. But, for

the first time since Q4 2011, the rate of growth for

full-time faculty postings grew at a faster pace

than the rate of growth for part-time faculty

postings. As a result of this movement in Q4

2014, the ratio of part-time to full-time faculty

postings declined, albeit slightly, in Q4 2014 from

Q4 2013.

Part-time faculty job postings rose in Q4 2014 by

only 4.0 percent, which was much less than the

28.6 percent increase in Q4 2013. At the same

time, full-time faculty postings grew by 5.3 percent

in Q4 2014, which was many times greater than

the 0.6 percent they increased in Q4 2013.

Moreover, the ratio of part-time to full-time faculty

postings declined 0.3 percentage points in Q4

2014 to 24.2 percent from 24.5 percent in Q4

2013.

In contrast, the growth for part-time administrative postings was much higher in Q4 2014 at 34.8 percent than the 6.9

percent they increased in Q4 2013. Additionally, the 34.8 percent growth rate for part-time administrative postings in

Q4 2014 was higher than the 23.5 percent growth rate for full-time administrative postings. Also, the ratio of part-time

to full-time administrative postings increased from 9.0 percent in Q4 2013 to 9.7 percent in Q4 2014.

Detail of Full-Time Compared to Part-Time Jobs Postings (in percent)

Year Change in

Full-Time Faculty Postings (Annual)

Annual Change in Q4 Full-Time

Faculty Postings

Annual Change in Q4 Part-Time

Faculty Postings

Ratio of Q4 Faculty

Postings for Part-Time

2014 4.2 5.3 4.0 24.2

2013 6.3 0.6 28.6 24.5

2012 9.2 5.3 25.3 20.2

2011 10.9 13.8 12.4 17.6

Year

Change in Full-Time

Administrative Postings (Annual)

Annual Change in Q4 Full-Time Administrative

Postings

Annual Change in Q4

Part-Time Administrative

Postings

Ratio of Q4 Administrative Postings for Part-Time

2014 16.1 23.5 34.8 9.7

2013 15.3 17.8 6.9 9.0

2012 15.7 8.2 11.0 9.8

2011 26.3 17.3 20.9 9.6



Finding: The number of advertised job openings at community colleges increased in Q4 2014, but at a much slower rate than the previous year. Meanwhile, the number of jobs at community colleges continued to decline, but at a slower rate.

Job Postings and Employment at Community Colleges

Sources: HigherEdJobs® posting data from continuing unlimited posting subscribers;

U.S. Department of Labor / Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The number of job postings for open positions at community colleges continued to increase in Q4 2014, but at a

slower rate of growth. Meanwhile, the number of jobs at community colleges continued to decrease compared to

previous fourth quarters but the rate of decline continues to lessen. Specifically, the year-over-year decline in the

number of community college jobs in Q4 2014 was the smallest

fourth quarter decrease since the declining trend began in Q3

2011. Additionally, the Q4 2014 decline was the second slowest

decline since the declines began and was only surpassed by

the immediate previous quarter of Q3 2014.

Advertisements for job openings at community colleges

increased 6.0 percent in Q4 2014, a slower rate of growth than

the 29.2 percent growth observed a year earlier in Q4 2013.

For the same period, the number of jobs at community colleges

decreased 3.3 percent during Q4 2014 compared to the same

period the year before (a 9.7 percent decline in Q4 2013).

Additionally, the 2.4 percent decline in the immediately

preceding quarter (Q3 2014) was the smallest decline since the

declines began 14 quarters ago in Q3 2011.

As noted in previous reports, the Q4 2014 decline in community college employment supports the contention that the

number of jobs at community colleges may have begun to stabilize. This could indicate that community college

administrators are primarily recruiting to address regular employee turnover and not trying to fundamentally adjust

their staffing levels.

Year-over-year change (in percent)

Year

Community College Job Postings

(HigherEdJobs) Q4

Community College Jobs (BLS)

Q4

2014 6.0 -3.3

2013 29.2 -9.7

2012 2.5 -10.2

2011 12.8 -13.6

Sources: HigherEdJobs posting data from continuing unlimited posting subscribers; community college jobs from Department of Labor / Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Note: Even though most two-year institutions now designate themselves as Community Colleges, the U.S. Bureau of Labor

Statistics still categorizes these institutions as Junior Colleges. To avoid confusion, Junior Colleges are referred to as Community

Colleges in this finding. The red markers, and right-hand scale, indicate Community College jobs.


Finding: The Midwest region experienced the largest percentage increase in higher education job postings in Q4 2014; however, the Pacific division in the West region experienced the largest divisional increase.

Change in Higher Education Job Postings by Census Region Q4 2013 to Q4 2014

Source: HigherEdJobs® job postings from unlimited posting subscribers in Q4 2013 and Q4 2014.

During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Midwest region

slightly outperformed all other regions for higher

education job posting growth, increasing 20.2 percent,

followed fairly closely by the West region, which

increased 17.0 percent. The West region contained the

division with the fastest growth of 27.2 percent in its

Pacific division.

The South region experienced the lowest growth rate

for higher education job postings, increasing 9.2

percent. That region is comprised of three divisions,

with one – the East South Central division –

contracting by 1.0 percent in Q4 2014.

Nationally, this Q4 2014 cohort, which includes

unlimited posting subscribers for the past 12 months,

experienced a 13.8 percent rate of growth for all types

of higher education job postings.

Region percent

change in Q4 2014

Division percent

change in Q4 2014

WEST 17.0 Pacific 27.2

Mountain 6.3

MIDWEST 20.2 West North Central 11.6

East North Central 22.8

SOUTH 9.2 West South Central 7.6

East South Central -1.0

South Atlantic 13.0

NORTHEAST 12.9 Middle Atlantic 10.2

New England 17.1

Source: HigherEdJobs job postings from unlimited posting subscribers in Q4 2013 and Q4 2014.

Note: The regions and divisions used for this analysis are consistent with the official U.S. Census regions and divisions. (www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/maps/pdfs/reference/us_regdiv.pdf)


SPECIAL FOCUS ON STUDENT AFFAIRS JOB POSTINGS

Finding: Postings for jobs in student affairs and services experienced accelerated growth in Q4 2014. The annual trend for jobs in this area has also been positive, increasing every year since 2011, though at a decelerating rate.

Student Affairs and Services Job Postings

Source: HigherEdJobs® postings from continuing subscribers since January 2011.

Postings for jobs in student affairs and services grew at a faster rate in Q4 2014 than in Q4 2013, which was faster

than the rate of growth experienced in Q4 2012. However, on an annual basis, postings for jobs in student affairs and

services experienced decelerating growth from 2012

to 2014.

The number of student affairs jobs posted during the

fourth quarter has not only increased, but increased

at a greater rate, for two years in a row. In Q4 2014,

student affairs job postings increased

14.9 percent, which was 1.2 percentage points faster

than the 13.7 percent they increased in Q4 2013.

And, the 13.7 percent growth observed in Q4 2013

was 2.9 percentage points higher than the 10.8

percent growth experienced in Q4 2012.

On an annual basis, student affairs jobs postings

continued to increase in 2014 compared to 2013, but at a slightly decelerating rate. Student affairs job postings were

up 9.4 percent in 2014 compared to 2013, which was not as fast as the 9.7 percent growth seen in 2013 and much

slower than the 16.6 percent growth in 2012.

One possible explanation for the somewhat opposing trends – fourth quarter student affair job postings growth rate

increasing compared to the annual rate of growth slowing – could be because institutions are adjusting when they are

creating new positons and / or conducting their job searches during the course of the academic year.

Student Affairs and Services Job Postings

Year Number of Student Affairs Job Postings (annual average)

Percent Change in Annual Student

Affairs Job Postings

Percent Change in Q4 Student Affairs

Job Postings

2014 1,503 9.4 14.9

2013 1,373 9.7 13.7

2012 1,252 16.6 10.8

2011 1,073

Source: HigherEdJobs posting data from continuing unlimited posting subscribers

since 2011.


Source: HigherEdJobs® posting data from continuing unlimited posting subscribers since 2011.

(cont.) SPECIAL FOCUS ON STUDENT AFFAIRS JOB POSTINGS

Regardless, the number of postings for jobs in student affairs and services generally peaks between June and

August, likely as administrators begin to adjust staffing levels for the upcoming academic year. Then, postings

steadily decline in number until the very end of the fall semester in December, at which time they begin to rise in

January until the summer.

The data suggest there is little difference – with some exceptions – in the mix of student affairs and services job

postings based on time of year. The first and third

quarters were chosen for further analysis because the

third quarter appears to be a peak for these types of

job postings ostensibly because institutions prepare

for the upcoming new academic year and the first

quarter because it is essentially the middle of the

academic year.

Student affairs categories that contain the majority of

postings in one quarter typically contain the majority of

postings in another, but there were exceptions. As

seen in past analysis of this data subset, the largest

disparity between Q1 and Q3 postings occurred in the

same two categories. Residence life and housing

positions averaged 9.7 percent of all student affairs

and services job postings in Q1 for 2012-2014, inclusive, but only 4.9 percent in Q3 for the same years, a difference

of 4.7 percentage points. The next largest gap between Q1 and Q3 postings was for admissions and enrollment job

postings that averaged 20.9 percent in Q1 and 23.4 percent in Q3, a difference of 2.5 percentage points. The

difference between Q1 and Q3 postings for all the other categories listed ranged from minus 0.7 percent (multicultural

affairs and affirmative action) to plus 1.5 percent (academic advising).

Student Affairs and Services Job Postings Categories

Q1 2012

Q1 2013

Q1 2014

Q3 2012

Q3 2013

Q3 2014

percent of all student affairs and services job postings

Academic Advising 13.7 12.2 13.4 15.4 15.1 13.3

Admissions and Enrollment 19.6 20.7 22.3 23.4 25.4 21.4

Career Counseling and Placement 7.7 7.1 7.2 8.8 7.4 7.0

Disability Services 3.4 3.4 2.9 3.3 3.7 3.4

Financial Aid 8.3 7.9 8.1 8.0 7.7 7.5

Food Services 5.3 2.8 3.7 4.5 4.3 6.1

International Programs 4.7 4.5 4.2 4.0 4.3 4.2

Multicultural Affairs and Affirmative Action

2.4 2.5 2.4 1.8 1.5 1.9

Registrars 4.1 4.9 4.4 5.3 4.5 3.9

Residence Life and Housing 10.3 9.9 8.8 4.7 5.4 4.7

Student Affairs and Services 19.5 23.4 22.0 19.9 20.0 25.7

Volunteer Programs 0.9 0.8 0.7 1.0 0.8 0.9 Source: HigherEdJobs postings from continuing subscribers since January 2011. (Institutions may advertise openings in more than one category with no financial incentive or disincentive to do so.)

Higher Education Employment Report Fourth Quarter & Annual, 2014 / Published February 2015

For more information, contact:

John Ikenberry, Ph.D. President and Co-Founder HigherEdJobs 328 Innovation Boulevard, Suite 235 State College, PA 16803 [email protected] 814-861-3080 (ext. 202)

Published by

Higher Education Employment Report...The market share of jobs in higher education, which is the...

Documents

Transcript of Higher Education Employment Report...The market share of jobs in higher education, which is the...