Merit Increase Program

The University of Pennsylvania’s Faculty/Staff Merit Increase Program is designed to recognize and reward the valuable contributions of faculty and staff by paying market competitive salaries in a fiscally responsible manner.

The University establishes a merit increase pool based on market trends and economic conditions. Schools and centers use this pool to provide salary increases as merited by performance. Performance appraisals should be completed for all eligible staff to support the merit increase awarded.

Guidelines for Faculty/Staff Merit Increase Program

Fiscal Year 2025 Guidelines

The FY25 guidelines for the merit increase pool and eligibility details are now available.

Eligibility for Merit Increases

Faculty

Faculty eligibility is determined by the deans. Deans give the department chairs their own guidelines at the school level.

Staff

Eligibility for the merit increase program includes staff in exempt and non-exempt positions (i.e., monthly-paid, weekly-paid, or limited service), and whose time type is full-time (including phased retirement) or part-time, and who were employed with the University on or before the last day of February.

Ineligible Classifications

Individuals in the following classifications are not eligible for the Merit Increase Program: 

  • Staff hired on or after March 1
  • Staff who move from non-merit-eligible to merit-eligible job profiles on or after March 1
  • Student workers, temporary workers, contingent workers
  • Interns, and residents
  • Staff covered by collective bargaining agreements
  • Staff on unpaid leaves of absence
  • Staff on long-term disability
  • Faculty early retirement, emeritus, secondary appointment, part-time lecturers.

For general questions regarding the Merit Increase Program, contact the Penn Employee Solution Center at 215-898-7372.

Workday Merit Process

The merit planning process will be managed in Workday. See Workday@Penn's Resources for merit planning process for instruction and training details.