Salary Information
Salary Resources
Last month, we published two pieces of information:
- Salary Table Adjustments for the '22-'23 year will be a 3% increase for most positions, with a 4% increase for positions listed on our Administrative and Operations Staff page.
- A Cost of Living Adjustment of 5.3% was provided, based on the change in the third-quarter Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).
Keep in mind that these show two different things. The salary table adjustments are based on wage increases in church and nonprofit jobs over the past two years. (We didn't change our tables last year.) The cost of living adjustment reflects increases to the cost of goods and services over the past year. This is the first year since we've been tracking it that the COLA came out higher than nonprofit wage increases. It's a tricky situation.
In order to keep up with changes to our salary tables, you'll need to increase staff salaries by 3% or 4%, depending on the position. Technically, if you increased salaries last year, you can include that amount when figuring the 3% or 4% increase, since this adjustment to our tables reflects two years of nonprofit wage growth and, again, our tables weren't adjusted last year. However, given current wage and employment dynamics, as well as cost of living changes (see next paragraph), we suggest making every effort to provide at least a 3% increase at this time.
If you can increase wages by 5.3% or more, you will be maintaining your employees' purchasing power as well as moving them up within their respective ranges - e.g., someone who was paid at the minimum on the current table will be above the minimum on the new table. We want to see effectively performing staff moving up within their ranges over time.
The
'22-'23 Geo Index Listing is now posted. A revised Guide to UUA Salary Recommendations, as well as the updated salary tables, will follow later this month.
Salary Recommendations Rethink
The UUA has provided salary recommendations to congregations for over 25 years. Although we update the tables nearly annually and have added a number of positions, our general methodology has stayed largely the same over time. We've begun to revisit our approach, with an eye toward advancing equity, improving practicality, and leading with the greatest integrity possible. Please stay tuned to this newsletter over the course of the year as we explore alternatives and seek your input.
