Classification & Compensation
Overtime Eligibility Changes: Washington State L&I salary threshold changes are expected annually on January 1 of each year through 2028. Review the Overtime Eligibility FAQS for more information.
The salary threshold for 2025 has been announced, and has been set to $77,968.80 annually ($6497.40 monthly).
Washington State University Compensation Philosophy
Washington State University (WSU) is committed to fulfilling our strategic mission and values. WSU is dedicated to ensuring our faculty and staff are recognized and rewarded for their contributions while driving to success the strategic initiatives of the university by offering competitive salaries and a robust benefits package.
Guiding Principles
- Provide transparency in salary setting processes with annual communication regarding decisions; provide structure & accountability;
- Assess our jobs in the market based on their assigned responsibilities, taking into account job scope, accountabilities, and value to the University;
- Align our total compensation, including salary plus benefits, for comparable work with leading academic institutions (public and private) and similar organizations with whom the University competes for talent;
- Establish consistent linkage of system-wide programs, systems and processes while
accommodating a level of flexibility in administration to allow campuses to operate with relative autonomy within their respective markets; - Utilize Washington State- or bargaining unit- established salary ranges and steps for civil service salaries.
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Administrative Professional Policies:
- Classification and Reclassification, BPPM 60.02
- Administrative Professional Salary Determination and Adjustment, BPPM 60.12
Classification and Compensation
- Current benchmarks, title codes, and compensation for Administrative Professional classifications: AP Benchmarks, Title Codes, and Compensation.
- AP Compensation Structure
- AP Compensation: FAQs for Managers
- AP Compensation: FAQs for Employees
- Current payroll titles and working titles guideline: Payroll and Working Titles.
Position Description
- Sample Customer Service Language for Position Descriptions: Sample Job Duties, Performance Expectations, and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
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Bargaining Unit Policies
- Refer to the appropriate Collective Bargaining Agreement for classification processes.
Collective Bargaining Agreements
Classification
- See a complete listing of classified titles set by The State Human Resource Office.
Job Classifications - View definitions for terms used in the classification process.
Common Classification Definitions - Current payroll titles and working titles guideline.
Payroll and Working Titles
Compensation
- Refer to the appropriate Collective Bargaining Agreement for Bargaining Unit salary grids.
Position Descriptions
- Browse sample job duties for frequently requested Civil Service titles.
Job Duties
Sample Customer Service Job Duties - Peruse criteria, samples, and policies related to performance expectations.
Performance Expectations
Sample Customer Service Performance Expectations - Browse KSA Instructions for Sample Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies
Knowledge Skills, Abilities, or Competencies
Sample Customer Service KSAs
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Civil Service Policies
- Read WSU’s policy about classification processes: Classification and Reclassification, BPPM 60.02
Classification
- See a complete listing of available Civil Service titles set by the Office of the State Human Resource Director: Job Classifications (hr.wa.gov)
- View definitions for terms used in the classification process: Common Classification Definitions
- Current Payroll and Working Titles guideline.
Compensation
- Check out the salary grid to view the full salary range.
- Civil Service Salary Range
- IT Professional Salary Range
- Nurses’ Salary Range – Range used for classes requiring licensure as a registered
- Information on Step M – Longevity Step: Step M Frequently Asked Questions
- Find the corresponding Civil Service salary range for a specific title.
Position Descriptions
- Browse sample job duties for frequently requested Civil Service titles:
Job Duties
Sample Customer Service Job Duties - Peruse criteria, samples, and policies related to performance expectations.
Performance Expectations
Sample Customer Service Performance Expectations - Browse KSA Instructions for Sample Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies
Knowledge Skills, Abilities, or Competencies
Sample Customer Service KSAs
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Faculty Policies
- Refer to the manual for specifics on Faculty class/comp processes.
Faculty Manual, Section III. and Section V.
Classification
- Current benchmarks and title codes for Faculty positions:
Job Classifications. - Full-Time Academic Workload Guidelines
Position Descriptions
- View a sample position description which can be adapted for your faculty appointments.
Sample: Faculty Position Description
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Student / Temporary Non-Permanent Policies
- Effective January 1, 2025, the state of Washington minimum wage is $16.66 per hour.
- Learn about the university’s classification and compensation plan for student positions.
- Policy: Temporary Employment Program (BPPM 60.26)
- Policy: Temporary Employment Processing (BPPM 60.27
- Important information for employing non-permanent employees: TIPS for Non-Permanent Employment
- Questions regarding Temporary Non-Permanent employment may be directed to Human Resource Services at hrs.records@wsu.edu or 509-335-4521.
- Check the requirements for hiring minors at the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries website: Youth Employment
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Online Position Description and Recruitment System (OPDRS)
- The link below will allow you access to OPDRS to manage new and existing position descriptions for Administrative Professional, Bargaining Unit and Civil Services positions.
- Log in to the site for Hiring Managers, Finance Officers and Guest Users.