Wake Forest’s minimum wage will increase to $17.50

Effective June 21, 2025, the Wake Forest minimum wage will increase from $15 to $17.50 per hour for regular and fixed-term part- and full-time Wake Forest staff. This recommendation was included in the FY26 budget, which was approved by the Board of Trustees. 

This increase reflects the University’s ongoing commitment to providing competitive compensation and recognizing the valuable contributions of all our employees. It also underscores our dedication to investing in the talented individuals who make Wake Forest a vibrant and thriving institution. 

The minimum wage increase applies directly to University employees. While Wake Forest does not directly pay affiliate colleagues employed by contracted service providers, the University is working with these contractors to address any minimum wage discrepancies compared to the University’s rate. 

Impacted staff members will be notified of this change by their manager and can expect to see their adjusted hourly rate reflected in their July 11 paycheck (June 21 – July 4 payroll). Questions about this change can be directed to hrcomp@wfu.edu.