The Historical Evolution of Salary System Reform in Chinese Universities

This paper systematically reviews the historical evolution of salary system reform in Chinese universities since 1949. The system has developed into a modern framework centered on a post-based performance pay system and supported by diversified incentives. It identifies key problems, including unreasonable income distribution, imperfect performance evaluation, and insufficient institutional autonomy. The paper also highlights understudied issues, including regional and institutional gaps, welfare disparities between early-career teachers and administrative staff, non-salary income sources, so as to provide practical references for improving university salary management and governance system in the new era.