Virginia Tech increases minimum starting pay to $15 per hour for salaried staff

Virginia Tech has increased the university’s minimum starting pay for full- and part-time, benefits-eligible staff employees to $15 per hour. 

The change was effective Aug. 25 and impacted approximately 160 employees who previously made less than $15 per hour. In addition, other staff employees received salary increases to align with the university’s new staff pay structure.

“In support of Virginia Tech’s vision and strategic plan, the university invested nearly $300,000 to raise our staff’s minimum starting pay to $15 per hour,” said Bryan Garey, vice president for human resources. “This investment in our current and future employees helps Virginia Tech remain competitive both regionally and nationally and address market conditions, which continue to be demanding on all employers.”

This increase follows actions that the university has taken over the last several years, including increasing staff minimum pay to $12 per hour in 2019, the approval and payout of a salary supplement from 2020-22 that employees may use to offset out-of-pocket costs such as parking and child care, and the university’s Board of Visitors approval of a 5 percent merit program for faculty and staff in 2021 and 2022.

While this change does not impact employees holding hourly wage positions, in September 2021, the university increased the starting hourly pay to $15 per hour for all dining, housekeeping, and grounds positions, which are key roles to ensure university operations and services run smoothly for students and the entire Virginia Tech community. This change impacted approximately 700 employees.

“Pay is part of our focus to provide strong total compensation for all employees,” said Garey. “The university will continue working to ensure pay and benefits, both core and optional, in conjunction with other services, such as development opportunities, support employees personal and professional growth for the long-term.”