Continuing to invest in our people: FY 2026 compensation increases
Friday, June 13, 2025
When the Next-Gen K-State strategic plan was launched in fall 2023, the university announced its commitment to a critical driver for our future success: Building and sustaining the next-generation land-grant workforce at K-State — a vision that calls for an investment in our people.
That commitment is reflected in many ways — through investments in well-being, professional growth and compensation. This year, K-State will continue this investment in fiscal year 2026 with a two-part pay plan that includes:
- A 1.5% cost-of-living salary increase (added to the employee's base salary, disbursed over the course of the fiscal year)
- A 2% performance-based merit pool (one-tie lump sum payment)
Cost-of-living increases
Benefits-eligible faculty, unclassified staff, university support staff, graduate teaching assistants, graduate research assistants, and graduate assistants hired on or before Dec. 1, 2024, will see the 1.5% salary increase reflected in their first paycheck of the new fiscal year.
Merit performace-based pool
This additional pool empowers unit and division leaders to recognize outstanding performance based on calendar year 2024 evaluations. These merit-based increases will be delivered as a one-time lump sum payment in a supplemental paycheck on Sept. 18. K-State Human Resources will provide additional guidance on the allocation process later this summer.
For additional information regarding fiscal year 2026 pay plan, please visit Human Resources website.
This two-part strategy supports and positions the university to begin implementing the results of the ongoing Career Architecture and Compensation Study. This comprehensive study will review current compensation practices and provide recommendations for pay and career opportunities that advance the university’s workforce now and into the future. The study is planned to be completed later this year, and the university will develop an implementation roadmap based on the study.
K-State's trajectory as the preeminent next-generation land-grant university would not be possible without the passion, dedication and good work of its people. By retaining and recruiting high-performing, talented, and engaged faculty and staff, K-State will remain a teaching, research and engagement leader, ensuring future success for students, the people of Kansas, the nation and beyond.