Congregational Salary Program

By Jan Gartner, Sean Griffin

A New Approach

Colorful scarf draped around thick white candle with an artistic chalice flame in the background

In November 2022, we launched a freshly designed Congregational Salary Program in order to live more fully into UU values and better meet the needs of today's congregations. Highlights include a greater emphasis on process and values, along with a new structure for our Recommended Salary Ranges, intended for use beginning in the '23-'24 program year.

This page is your one-stop shop for information and resources related to our Congregational Salary Program.

Salary Information Found Elsewhere

Resources

After reviewing the Introductory Information, Key Documents, and Recommended Salary Ranges below, you may want to view the Webinar posted at the end of this section.

    Introductory Information

    Please review these two resources before accessing the '23-'24 Recommended Salary Ranges.

    Key Documents for Use with Recommended Salary Ranges

    Recommended Salary Ranges for 2023-2024

    As part of our revised Congregational Salary Program, we’ve introduced a new structure for our Recommended Salary Ranges. To support you in making the most of our freshly framed guidance, we’re asking you to confirm that you've viewed the two resources listed above under Introductory Information.

    Completing the form below not only assures us that you’ve learned about the basics of the new approach but also allows us to contact you in order to provide updates and/or request feedback. Upon completion of the form, you will receive access to the page containing the Recommended Salary Ranges.

    Please log in or register on UUA.org to complete a simple form to gain access to Recommended Salary Ranges.
    Just made an account? Check your email for a message from web@uua.org to complete your registration. Then log in and come back here to complete the form.

    Webinar

    In early 2023, we presented a series of webinars orienting lay leaders and staff to the new program. You may find this webinar, focused on Lay Leaders, helpful in understanding the new approach:

    Reminders

    Process is Primary! Compensation is about more than numbers. Your compensation policies and practices are a way of living your values. Our Salary Process Guidance (PDF) includes a list of suggested policies and practices to help you ground your compensation decisions in equity, transparency, and economic justice,

    Local Information: For many positions, understanding local wage norms is important. Additionally, although all Recommended Salary Ranges meet the federal minimum wage, it is possible that some do not comply with all state and local wage laws. Please be aware of minimum wage law in your area, as well as the living wage.

    Cost of Living: The third-quarter Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) increase from 2021 to 2022 was 8.3%. As you budget for staff salaries in the year ahead, consider that a 8.3% wage increase would be needed to roughly maintain a typical employee's purchasing power. This this may be aspirational for most congregations as it is for many other organizations. It is common for raises to lag the CPI-U change during periods of high inflation.

    Need Help?

    We are here to help, as are your regional Compensation Consultants.

    About the Authors

    Jan Gartner

    Jan is passionate about helping congregations live out their values within their walls!...

    Sean Griffin

    Sean is thrilled to be part of OCSF after serving as the Executive Director for a mid-sized UU congregation and, prior to that, pursuing a career in non-profit management focused on the performing arts....

    For more information contact .