According to a 1995 study, academic professional salaries vary greatly for individuals with the same job title, yet employees have virtually no information about how their salaries compare with others performing the same work within or outside the university. University administrators also admits the need for more complete information. According to a 1998 survey, salary is the top concern among academic professionals. James has been involved in studies for academic professional employees at other colleges universities across the country, including the University of Maine. Approximately 2,500 people work as academic professional employees at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a number larger than the faculty.
Academic professionals work in administrative, technical and other professional areas.
The Association of Academic Professionals is a group of academic professionals attempting to organize a union, in the belief that employees are their own best advocates. The AAP is affiliated with the Illinois Education Association and the National Education Association, the nation's largest union with 2.3 million members.