Compensation Updates - Effective January 18, 2026

Overview

Across KU, we have engaged in multi-year work to create a compensation structure that is both fair and sustainable. Through those efforts, we have brought many faculty and staff members to appropriate benchmark levels. We still have work to do in this space, and getting all our faculty and staff to the appropriate benchmarks and aligning compensation practices and principles across all KU campuses will take another 4-5 years of investment into our compensation plan.

Over the past few years, we have made difficult decisions to prioritize our resources and strengthen our financial foundation. These steps, while not always easy, have been essential to putting KU on a path toward long-term stability and growth. Despite the challenges of the past year, and by implementing ongoing strategic fiscal measures, we will be able to reinvest a significant percentage of our savings into our continued journey towards the appropriate market pay levels for all faculty and staff.

UPS/USS Salary Structure Update

UPS/USS Salary Structure Update 

As the university continues to make progress on aligning employee pay to market, all staff positions will be aligned to one of two new salary structures. All staff employees will be paid the minimum starting salary of the range for their official job title.  

New Minimum Hourly Rate for USS/UPS Positions

The new minimum hourly rate for staff (temporary or regular) will be $18.00/hr. beginning January 18, 2026.

1% Increase for Eligible Employees 

Eligible employees include:

  • USS and UPS positions hired on or before September 30, 2025, excluding positions that directly report to the Chancellor
  • Non-union covered Faculty positions hired on or before September 30, 2025, excluding positions that directly report to the Chancellor

All eligible employees will receive a 1% adjustment, however, employees whose compensation falls below the new minimum rates or who have been identified as needing a compression adjustment may receive a higher increase.  Human Resources will be working with unit budget officers providing detailed files of compensation changes for each eligible employee for review and validation.  

Faculty eligible for the increase will only receive a 1% on eligible components of pay.  Employees will be able to see compensation adjustments no later than January 26th through HR/Pay employee self-service.

For more information, please review the FAQs.  If you have additional questions, please contact hrdept@ku.edu