Compensation and Annual Employee Increases

Idaho State University Plan Specifics

The FY2026 ISU annual compensation plan includes the following components, aligned with DHR and DFM guidelines and supported by allocated and institutional funding.

1. Merit-Based Increase $1.05 to $1.55 per hour

All benefit-eligible employees with a start date prior to March 29, 2025 will receive a merit-based increase for an amount between $1.05 and $1.55 per hour to their base salary, prorated based upon contracted hours worked. These increases will be distributed according to the following matrix:

For Faculty, Non-Classified, and Classified staff that began benefit eligible employment with ISU on or before September 30, 2024, the merit will be based on the performance rating from their completed 2024 evaluation.

*For Faculty, Non-Classified, and Classified staff hired October 1, 2024 through March 29, 2025, the increase will be based on a mid-cycle evaluation for those achieving a Meets Expectations. Increases for these employees will be implemented in the pay period after the 6 month anniversary of the employee’s eligible hire date.

Increases for all ISU employees are calculated based on an employee’s base rate as of the relevant date of implementation. Employees serving in interim positions do not receive annual increases based on their interim appointment salary but will receive their appropriate merit-based CEC when they return to their primary positions. 

2. Pay structure shift and minimum rates of pay  - Per legislative approval, the State DHR FY2026 Salary Structures (pay grades) increased for classified employees effective June 8, 2025. As a result, ISU’s classified pay structure increased, raising the minimum hourly rate from $15.00 to $15.75 per hour. Any eligible classified staff member whose rate falls below ISU’s FY2026 pay structure after implementation of the merit based component will be elevated to the new minimum in their respective pay grade. These adjustments will apply to all classified benefit-eligible positions, including staff on probation and vacant benefit-eligible salary lines when filled.

Please see the FY2026 ISU classified pay grades for a specific breakdown of applicable pay ranges and new minimum rates of pay for classified positions.

Non-Classified Staff:

• ISU’s non-classified minimum annual salary is based on the minimum of DHR’s Primary Salary Structure pay grade K. Subsequently, ISU will adjust the non-classified staff annual salary from $47,325 to $49,750 (based on 1.0 FTE).  Eligible non-classified staff whose salary falls below the new non-classified minimum of $49,750 after application of the merit-based component will be elevated to the new minimum salary (does not apply to faculty or FLSA exempt non-classified employees including athletic coaches and resident directors).  

3. Faculty Promotions/Advancements in Academic Rank for FY2026

Consistent with prior practice and ISU policy, ISU will implement faculty advancements in academic rank in preparation for the forthcoming academic year, with most advancements effective July 20, 2025 for academic year contracts. Faculty who have previously been notified of successful rank advancement for the coming academic year will receive this increase.

Below is the faculty promotion pay scale, which is applied as a flat base salary amount for those successfully achieving advancement in rank for FY2026. Annualized amounts will be adjusted for 9, 10, 11, and 12 month faculty as applicable: