University of California, Irvine
PA-11: Employee Compensation

All regular staff employees at UCI earn a minimum of $15.00/hour in accordance with the UC Fair Wage/Fair Work Plan, which is 43% over the state minimum wage and 26% over the local city minimum wage. UCI provides a benefits package to the lowest paid employees worth $13.12/hour. The total compensation (wages and benefits) for the lowest-paid workers at $15.00/hour is $28.12/hour, which is 150% of living wage. In addition, the living wage calculation for Orange County, CA for 2 Adults, 2 Children, is $18.29 (as of January 29, 2018; http://livingwage.mit.edu/).

STAFF The University of California, Irvine campus employs 4,901 regular staff employees, all of whom earn sustainable compensation. As a federal and state contractor, the University pays the prevailing wage to skilled professionals. California’s state minimum wage is $10.50/hour and the City of Irvine’s lowest pay range minimum is $11.93/hour. All regular staff employees at UCI earn a minimum of $15.00/hour in accordance with the UC Fair Wage/Fair Work Plan, which is 43% over the state minimum wage and 26% over the local city minimum wage. In addition, the living wage calculation for Orange County, CA for 2 Adults, 2 Children, is $18.29. UCI pays 94% of employees a wage that is equal to or greater than the living wage. In addition, UCI provides a benefits package to the lowest paid employees worth $13.12/hour. The total compensation (wages and benefits) for the lowest-paid workers at $15.00/hour is $28.12/hour, which is 150% of living wage. ACADEMIC PERSONNEL The number of academics being paid by UC Irvine is 3,779. Academic appointees are paid at least the minimum rate of the systemwide UC salary scales which is currently $18.26, equal to the living wage calculation for Orange County. Faculty receive merit increases and promotions based on a campus scale, which represents a higher, market-based rate. Additionally, UC Irvine conducts an annual pay equity study for faculty. In addition, UCI provides a benefits package to the lowest paid employees worth $13.12/hour. The total compensation (wages and benefits) for the lowest-paid workers at $18.26/hour is $31.38/hour, which is 172% of living wage. On an annual basis, the University reviews the market in relationship to its non-represented salary ranges to determine if the salary range minimums and maximums need to be adjusted. Individuals working at 50% time or more for a minimum of one year receive full benefits during the first month of employment. The employee’s share of medical premiums is calculated on an income-sensitive basis, with lower-paid employees receiving the largest employer subsidy. The vision and dental plans are fully paid for by the University. An eligible employee who has exhausted all paid leave due to a serious illness or injury or because the employee is caring for a seriously ill family member may apply for catastrophic leave which allows for the continuation of salary to minimize financial hardship.

The salaries of student assistants and graduate student employees (including research assistants) are reviewed against the market in the same manner as staff salaries to provide a student living wage. UCI's Student Assistant Guidelines and Graduate Division’s Graduate Student Employment Tools address student employment status, classifications, and compensation, are addressed in the following links:

*** This credit was prepared on January 29, 2018. On this date, MIT's Living Wage Calculator listed the local living wage for 2 Adults, 2 Children as $18.29. We developed our responses for this credit based off of this living wage and January 2018 UC Irvine wage data. The most recent year total compensation for the institution’s lowest-paid workers (including contractors, if applicable) was evaluated to ensure that it was sustainable: 2015 when UC implemented $15.00 UC Fair Wage/Fair Work Plan. See web site at http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/fairwage/index.html The website URL where information about the institution’s compensation policies and practices is available: ttp://policy.ucop.edu/manuals/personnel-policies-for-staff-members.html