Appalachian State University
PA-9: Employee Compensation

We assessed compensation against 120% of the 2015 Federal Department of Health and Human Services poverty guideline for a family of four. The poverty guideline for a family of four is $24,250. 120% of that guideline is $29,100 (or $13.99 per hour). We offset 20% of the wage criteria for benefit-eligible employees, based on the value of employer contributions to our health and retirement benefits.

As part of state government, our compensation ranges are established by the Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) for each employment level within the State classification structure. Within this structure, the lowest entry-level pay rate is $23,332 ($11.22 per hour). All regular, full-time employees receive full benefits including health insurance, retirement, paid leave, and access to optional benefits including vision, dental, life insurance and supplemental retirement.

Compensation for regular, part-time employees is established using the same criteria as for regular, full-time employees. The lowest pay rate in the State classification structure is $11.22 per hour. Part-time employees may or may not be eligible for benefits, depending upon how many hours they work per week (their full-time equivalency (FTE) value). Part-time employees working 30-39 hours per week are eligible for full health and retirement benefits and paid leave on a prorated basis. Part-time employees working 20-29 hours per week receive paid leave on a prorated basis and may participate in the health insurance plan at their expense. Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for benefits.

We have an established campus minimum rate of pay for temporary employees of $10.90 per hour. Temporary employees are not eligible for benefits, unless their hours of work meet the threshold for employer-provided health coverage under the Affordable Care Act (generally 30 or more hours per week for three or more months). Temporary employees who meet the Affordable Care Act threshold are offered the option of electing health coverage.

Temporary (adjunct) faculty are paid a rate per credit hour of instruction, based upon their highest level of educational attainment. The lowest rate paid is $900.00 per credit hour, per semester for a Bachelors prepared adjunct faculty member. Temporary faculty are not eligible for benefits unless their hours of instruction meet the threshold for employer-provided health coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ten or more credit hours). Temporary faculty who meet the Affordable Care Act threshold are offered the option of electing health coverage.

We included only graduate employees in our assessment. Graduate-student employees are paid salaries based upon expected hours of work (generally 10, 15, or 20 per week). The lowest rate paid to graduate-student employees is $13.33 per hour during fall and spring semesters and $12.00 per hour during summer terms. Graduate-student employees are eligible for health insurance coverage under the student health plan. This student health plan is paid as a fee with tuition and includes free access to student health clinic services as well as generous health insurance coverages.

Additional link: ASU promotes just compensation wages as supported in the Strategic Plan: http://www.appstate.edu/about/strategic_plan.pdf
It is the policy of the State to compensate its employees at a level sufficient to encourage excellence of performance and to maintain the labor market competitiveness necessary to recruit and retain a competent work force, Faculty, Staff and Administrators.