Total Compensation @ UMass Amherst

Base salary is just the beginning of your compensation package. That's why we use the term total compensation —it's the best way to illustrate the combination of monetary components that demonstrates the University's commitment to its employees. The direct (or cash) portion of total compensation is your base salary (plus possible overtime pay for employees paid on an hourly basis). We also offer a great benefit package, which is often called indirect pay . The benefit package includes health, dental, life, disability, and tuition benefits plus a generous retirement plan and post-retirement benefits.

The University is committed to providing a compensation package that enables us to attract and retain highly skilled and talented employees for all positions. The following principles underlie our total compensation philosophy:

• Total compensation includes pay and benefits, and the value of the total package is used to determine the University's market competitiveness.
• The various employee compensation plans reflect the relevant labor markets in which UMass Amherst competes to fill positions. These markets vary depending on the position and may be local, state, regional, national, or international and include comparable institutions as well as relevant private sector organizations.
• Competitive compensation must be sensitive to the need to maintain tuition and fees at levels that are accessible to students.
• The compensation plans and pay delivery methods will be as responsive as possible to university priorities and needs, while maintaining fairness and consistency.
• Individual employee salaries may recognize:
• exceptional performance, as documented in performance reviews
• professional development and qualifications
• the value of individual contributions.
• The compensation plans will be reviewed periodically to assess market competitiveness and effectiveness in attracting and retaining employees.