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MORGANTOWN - West Virginia University has announced that it is increasing the minimum entry pay rate for staff members to $15/hour, effective Dec. 27.
The move represents a $1 increase from the $14/hour minimum wage implemented June 30, 2024.
Current staff employees who are at a rate below $15 and meet program eligibility requirements will be adjusted up to the new minimum.
Further, staff pay ranges will increase by 6% across the university in an effort to realign compensation with current market rates. Current staff employees whose pay falls below the newly adjusted pay range for their position, and who meet program eligibility requirements, will receive a pay increase to the new minimum of their pay range.
According to a university spokesperson, the investment to bring staff employees up to the new minimum rate is approximately $600,000 including fringe benefits.
This targeted investment will also include a market-focused investment for faculty to address market, retention and criticality.
The university's $1.349 billion fiscal year 2027 budget approved by the West Virginia University Board of Governors in June included a $10 million investment in the university's compensation program.
President Michael Benson made a case for the increase during his Sept. 14 State of the University address.
"Driving any success we have are the people who support our students. We are an institution comprised of people. We're in the people business, and to ensure we continue to serve our students and fulfill our land grant mission, we must invest in the people who work for West Virginia University every single day," he said.
In addition to these increases, the university recently announced the launch of the Mountaineer Merit Program through which college and unit leaders will allocate performance-based raises to eligible faculty and staff who have demonstrated professional excellence in support of the university's mission.
College and unit leaders will evaluate potential salary adjustments for eligible employees this fall. Employees who have been selected to receive an adjustment will be notified in mid-December, as will employees receiving increases based on the new minimum staff wage or 6% market adjustment.
Salary increases will take effect Dec. 27, and employees will see the change reflected on their Jan. 22 pay statement.
All eligible employees must have an overall performance rating higher than “unsatisfactory” or “development needed” in their most recent annual performance review.
Further, employees must not be on active discipline to qualify.
According to the university’s faculty and staff profile, there are 3,060 staff employees (classified and non-classified) and 2,355 full-time instructional faculty.