The university's annual Salary Increase Program helps ensure that our colleges and divisions remain competitive in recruiting and retaining staff and faculty. It is a key element of the Compensation Annual Cycle.
Each year, colleges and divisions allocate a certain percentage of their total salary pool expenditures to fund increases, which are effective at or near the start of each fiscal year.
FY 2026 Program
The university will implement a FY 2026 Salary Increase Program. Please visit the FY 2026 Salary Increase Program Guidance page for details.
Salary Increase Program Categories
The following base categories may be included in Salary Increase Programs. Depending on the university's budgetary and financial environment, leadership will provide guidance regarding amounts and distribution proportions for programs in each fiscal year.
Across-the-Board Increases
General increases are provided to eligible staff and faculty.
Merit Increases
Provided to recognize individuals for noteworthy, meritorious or exceptional contributions.
Not Included in Salary Increase Programs
Minimum Wage Increases
Minimum wage increases - whether mandated by state, federal, or university decisions - are accounted for separate from Salary Increase Program increases.
Bring-to-Minimum Increases
When changes in a pay range cause the minimum to rise above an employee's salary, they will receive a raise to the bottom of the range. These increases are accounted for separate from Salary Increase Program increases.
Market Data-Based Updates
Human Resources annually reviews jobs against market data. If increases are needed based on this review, they are accounted for separate from Salary Increase Program increases. Learn more about External Market-Data Review.
Other Staff Pay Increase Categories
Units have various pay increase options available to them in certain situations. These options are initiated separate from Salary Increase Program increases. Learn more about Pay Increase Guidelines.
Employee Eligibility
The following are base eligibility criteria for Salary Increase Programs. University leadership may provide additional eligibility guidance for programs in individual fiscal years.
Included
- Benefits-eligible and non-benefits-eligible faculty and staff (active, leave of absence, and short work break) who meet the specific eligibility criteria defined for each individual program year.
- Graduate Assistants/Associates (Managed by the Graduate College).
Excluded
- Student workers
- Clinical faculty and residents
- Employees with multi-year contracts that have language that excludes them from a university annual increase program (typically athletics head coach positions)
- Employees with FTE of 0.025 or less
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Employees on an unpaid leave of absence are also eligible, but their increase will take effect when they return to a paid status.
Yes. Employees on visas should receive increases.
H visas. Please submit a letter to International Faculty & Scholars stating that the increase is across-the-board. This letter will be placed in the employee's compliance file.
J visas. J scholars will need to have the SEVIS record updated. Contact International Faculty & Scholars to arrange this.
TN and O-1 visas. No paperwork is required.
If you have questions about employees on visas, please email International Faculty & Scholars at uaifs@arizona.edu.
Yes. Sponsored awards generally permit compensation increases so long as they are based on the established compensation review practices of the college and the university.
Learn more on Research & Partnership's Salary and Wages page.