UCLA Astrophysics Professor Claims Low Pay Left Him Homeless

LOS ANGELES, CA — A UCLA professor of astrophysics made headlines this week after releasing a TikTok video stating his low salary has rendered him homeless.

Dr. Daniel McKeown asked his supporters to raise awareness about his salary and to lobby the school for change. In the video, McKeown said he earns $70,000 — not enough to afford an apartment in the affluent neighborhood surrounding UCLA. According to rental market research firm Zumper.com, the median rent in Westwood is $4,200, 111 percent higher than the national average.

“Hi everyone, my name is Daniel, and I’m an astrophysics professor at UCLA. I’m only being paid $70,000 for this academic year to be a full-time professor, and the rent in Los Angeles is incredibly expensive,” McKeown says in the video.

In the video filmed from a storage unit where McKeown moved his belongings, McKeown said he was forced to move out of his one-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles. Now he is staying with a friend in San Diego and teaching his classes online. He said he asked for a $100,000 salary but was denied by the university.

Patch was unable to reach the university for comment Friday.

A $70,000 salary would appear to be on the low end for professors at UCLA. According to the university's annual salary scale for professors, pay ranges from $78,200 to $205,400. The monthly pay for a $78,200 would be $6,516.67, making the median rent in Westwood prohibitive.

For comparison, this year, UCLA's new football coach DeShaun Foster will earn $3 million.

The video quickly racked up tens of thousands of views and comments Friday.

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Most commenters said they were shocked at McKeown's salary.

"I am a UCLA Alum...will definitely write to the chair. This is shocking," wrote one commenter.

See the full video on TikTok.