A Closer Look at Florida University Salaries

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Gov. Rick Scott attends a governors' summit hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in June.

One of every eight state university employees earns at least $100,000, according to a salary database Gov. Rick Scott posted yesterday.

More than half of state university employees earn less than $50,000.

Scott posted the data to a website Monday, though it was already available online. Scott’s spokesman said the public has a right to know what more than 52,000 higher education workers are paid. A union representing professors believes Scott is “hanging people out to roast” by posting the information.

So what does the data say?

Predictably, the state’s largest universities, which are also research centers, have the highest percentage of six-figure salaries.

The University of Florida leads the way with 18.7 percent of employees earning more than $100,000. University of South Florida is second with 15.7 percent of employees earning more than $100,000.

New College of Florida has the highest percentage of employees — 60.6% — earning less than $50,000.

The median higher education salary is $49,000. The median Florida income in 2010 was $40,766, according to U.S. Census data.