Universities of Wisconsin to Implement General Wage Increases for Employees

Strategic Insights -

As part of the 2025-2027 state budget, the Universities of Wisconsin will be implementing a general wage increase for employees, including eligible employees of UW--Madison. The pay plan includes a three percent pay increase, effective June 29, 2025, as well as a two percent increase planned for July 2026. Eligible employees will receive back pay dated to June 29, 2025, as well as a three percent increase to base pay, with new rates appearing on payslips for September 4, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Universities of Wisconsin will implement a three percent pay increase for employees, effective June 29, 2025, as part of the 2025-2027 state budget.
  • The pay plan also includes a two percent increase planned for July 2026.
  • Eligible employees will receive back pay dated to June 29, 2025, provided as a lump sum.
  • Academic year (nine-month) employees and eligible employees with 12-month appointments and hourly employees will receive new rates on their payslips for September 4, 2025.
  • Faculty, Academic Staff, University Staff, Limited Appointees, Research Associates, and Research Interns may be eligible for the pay plan, subject to additional eligibility requirements.
  • Temporary Employees and student hourly employees are not eligible for the pay plan.
  • Employees in the building trades, subject to a collective bargaining agreement, are also not eligible.
  • Employees receiving the pay increase will receive a letter in their Workday tasks informing them of their new pay rate.
  • Information on viewing and printing payslips in Workday is available in multiple languages at kb.wisconsin.edu/workday/internal/144634.
  • The pay increase is applicable to UW-Madison employees, in addition to employees of other Universities of Wisconsin institutions.

Statistics:

  • 3% pay increase effective for employees on June 29, 2025.
  • 2% increase planned for July 2026.
  • Back pay dated to June 29, 2025, provided as a lump sum to eligible employees.
  • New rates appearing on payslips for September 4, 2025, for eligible employees with 12-month appointments and hourly employees.
  • New rates also appearing on payslips for September 4, 2025, for academic year (nine-month) employees.

Sources:

  • UW--Madison President Jay Rothman's August 11 message to all employees [Source]
  • 2025-2027 state budget [Source]
  • kb.wisconsin.edu/workday/internal/144634 (information on viewing and printing payslips in Workday)