According to 2012 Leadership Network Economic Outlook Survey, most congregations will provide staff with modest raises in 2013. More specifically: 74% of those parishes surveyed plan pay increases of at least 1%. Only a small percentage of church workers will receive raises that outpace the projected increase in the cost of living.
So What?
Church budgets are showing signs of recovery after several challenging years during the economic downturn. Since human resources amount to the largest single expense in most congregations, it is an encouraging sign to see roughly 3 in 4 congregations planning to provide salary increases in the coming year.
- Does your congregation provide an across the board flat percentage raise to all employees in good standing or to all employees in specific job classifications? Are merit raises offered? If so, how are such determined?
- Are you optimistic that your congregation will be able to pay competitive wages to retain existing staff and acquire any needed new staff in 2013? Why or why not?