Average salary increases for 2,918 faculty in the field of communications are reported for 1983-1984 and 1986-1987, as part of the College and University Personnel Association's annual faculty salary studies. Included are comparative data for 120,580 faculty at 167 public colleges and 235 private colleges, representing 44 academic disciplines. In 1983, 105 public colleges and 115 private colleges reported on communications faculty salaries, while 116 public and 118 private colleges reported in 1986. Between 1983 and 1986, average salaries of faculty in this field increased 20.7% at public colleges and 19.7% at private colleges. For 1986-1987 the average salary for communications faculty was about 9% below the average faculty salary in the other 43 fields for both public and private colleges. Included is information on: the number of faculty by academic rank, including new assistant professors; salaries by academic rank; the ratio of average salaries to total salaries of all institutions in both years; comparisons with the Consumer Price Index of changes in cost-of-living for both years; and comparisons with 43 other disciplines. The disciplines and participating institutions are listed. (SW)