Student Employment Wage Guidelines
The following wage guidelines are used by Student Employment Services (SES) when assigning hiring wage rates and pay increases for student employees. These guidelines help ensure wage equity across campus for students performing similar responsibilities.
Each student employment position is assigned to a Grade Level based on the Job Description and responses to a corresponding Job Description Survey. The survey evaluates the position based on the following factors:
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Nature of Work
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Knowledge/Experience Required
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Supervision Received
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Supervision Exercised
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Confidentiality
Positions with similar survey ratings are assigned to the same Grade Level.
Position Approval Process
Supervisors intending to employ students must first submit a Job Description Form to SES. In conjunction with the supervisor, SES will review the position and assign the appropriate Grade Level.
The Contact Person listed on the job description will then be notified, and the position will be advertised as requested. Once a hiring decision has been made, the student may be offered a starting pay rate based on the assigned Grade Level listed below.
This process should be completed before making any commitments to students or including student wage rates in grant or research proposals.
Effective September 11, 2022, the student minimum wage increased to $15.00 per hour. The hiring ranges for the Student Position Grade Levels have been adjusted accordingly.
Student Position Grade Levels
| Grade | Hiring Range | General Description |
| II | $15.00/hr | Positions in this level perform basic or routine tasks that follow established procedures. Students hired into these positions typically have little to some previous experience. Training is often required, and students generally work under regular supervision. |
| III | $15.25–$15.50/hr | Positions in this level perform higher-level tasks requiring interpretation and independent judgment. Previous experience is generally necessary. Work often has a broader scope and impact, and students typically work independently. Supervision of other student employees may be involved. |
| IV | $15.75–$16.75/hr | Positions in this level perform complex and significant tasks requiring independent interpretation and the development of procedures. A high level of knowledge or previous experience is required. Students work independently and frequently exercise significant supervisory responsibility over other student employees. |
Pay Rate Increases
After the initial hire, students may receive increases in their pay rates for one of two reasons:
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The student has taken on additional responsibilities within the department.
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The student's performance merits an increase in pay.
Pay rate increases may be processed using a Student Personnel Action Form.
If a student has taken on additional responsibilities or has been promoted to a new position, the student's pay rate should be adjusted to fall within the hiring range for the Grade Level assigned to the new position. If the position has not previously been reviewed by SES, a revised job description documenting the new responsibilities must be submitted.
SES may request additional documentation regarding job responsibilities and/or the student's job performance when appropriate.
Important: Student employees may not be used to replace or displace permanent employees.
