Salary and fringe benefit data for faculty and administrators at California state postsecondary institutions are examined, along with economic conditions and comparative salary data. To provide an indication of economic trends during 1976-1981, data are presented on five major economic indicators. Dollar and percentage increases in compensation for California faculty are compared to those of seven other professional groups and also to federal and state civil service employees. Comparisons are also made between salaries and increases in the Consumer Price Index and the Implicit Price Deflator for Personal Comsumption Expenditures. The responses of the University of California and California State University to competition for employees from business and industry are described (i.e. for engineering, computer science, and business faculty). Information is also presented on University of California and California State University projections of salaries and fringe benefits needed to achieve parity with comparison institutions. Additional areas of consideration include: collective bargaining outcomes, medical faculty salaries, administrative salaries by position for California and comparison universities, and California community college faculty salaries. Extensive supplementary data and materials are appended. (SW)