Compensation

Professional staff

Last updated: April 4, 2025

Professional staff overview

Professional staff are non-union, non-academic employees working at the University. Learn more about professional staff positions, salary, and additional compensation.

Position and salary review

When a professional staff position’s duties and responsibilities expand or substantially change, the position may be reviewed to determine whether the position’s salary amount, job profile and/or compensation grade assignment should change.

Position review FAQ

This FAQ page answers several common questions about professional staff positions and compensation at the UW.

Additional compensation

If a professional staff employee temporarily takes on additional duties outside of their normal job duties, additional compensation may be appropriate in addition to their base pay. Find out what might qualify for additional compensation and the process for approvals.

Job profiles and descriptors

Job profile “descriptors” help identify the job profile to be assigned when creating or editing a position, or when a professional staff position is reviewed for a change in job profile. Each job profile descriptor provides a general description of the work the series typically performs.

Create position checklists

These checklists help ensure that a create position request is complete and ready for the HR Compensation Office’s detailed review.

Checklist – Create regular professional staff position 

Checklist – Create professional staff temporary position (PSTP)

2023 Professional Staff Salary Survey

The University of Washington retained Milliman to conduct a cash compensation study for professional staff positions.