Pay Rates & Position Classification

Pay Rates

Regardless of funding source, pay rate should be tied directly to the job performed and the experience required for the position. Pay rate should not be tied to work-study, grant, donation, or gift amount. If permitted by the funding source, student employees and supervisors are encouraged to use any additional funding for professional development, which includes conferences, training, memberships, and certifications. 

To create a consistent and equitable pay scale for student employees across campus and to support the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, we recommend the pay scale below. This pay scale was informed by several sources, including research from universities nation-wide and DU Human Resources & Inclusive Community Compensation Department. Student Employment at DU does not refer to opportunities or jobs through Jobs@DU. 

In addition, the pay scale below adheres to policies provided by the Federal Work-Study Program (see Establishing Pay Rates, FWS Conditions & Limitations, Work on Campus), but does not include guidance on stipend rates for Graduate Assistantships, which are set by the Planning and Budget Office. Please contact the Office of Graduate Education with any questions about compensation for Graduate Assistantships. 

Requests for pay rates that go above this scale go through a compensation review between Student Employment, DU Human Resources Compensation, and Financial Aid.  

Student Employee Pay Rate Scale 2023-2024

Denver’s minimum wage is $18.29 as of January 2024. Please see the recommended scale below.

Position Classification Min. Max.
Student Support I- Entry $18.50 $20.00
Student Support II- Intermediate $19.00 $20.50
Student Support III- Advanced $19.50 $21.00
Student Support IV- Specialized $20.00 $26.50
Student Support V- Graduate Assistantships (GXA) 9-month stipends ranging from $10,017 to $24,316*

We currently recommend up to a $0.50 increase per year to be implemented for returning student employees with stellar performance. Pay increases are recommended if the University has authorized and is able to provide pay increases to all employees. 

*GXAs are typically offered at the time of admission, must be approved through the Planning and Budget Office, and are subject to the guidance in the GTA Handbook. GXAs are paid monthly as stipends vs. hourly. 

Student Employee Pay Rate Scale 2022-23 

Denver’s minimum wage is $17.29 as of January 2023. Please see the recommended scale below.

Position Classification  Min.  Max. 
Student Support I- Entry  $17.50 $19.00
Student Support II- Intermediate  $18.00 $19.50
Student Support III- Advanced  $18.50 $20.00
Student Support IV- Specialized $19.00 $25.50
Student Support V- Graduate Assistantships (GXA)  9-month stipends ranging from $9,337 to $22,940*

Position Classification Guidance 

See below for general position classifications. Working titles differ from position classifications and may be more specific to the role duties and department activity. The working title is what will be used in the job posting on PCO. Sample working titles are included with each position classification description. 

Student Support I- Entry 

  • Little to no prior experience. 
  • Education not required. 
  • Extensive on-the-job training is needed. 
  • Duties are routine or repetitive in nature. 
  • Processes and tasks are well established and explained in specific terms. 
  • Limited independent judgement or decision-making is required. 
  • Positions may begin at this level and move to another classification if job responsibilities change or increase. 
  • Considerable supervision is needed. 
  • Graduate students may be hired into this classification if the duties align. 
  • Sample working titles: Desk Assistant, Student Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Data Assistant, Social Media Assistant, Events Assistant, Film Research Assistant 
  • Sample duties: Answers phone, conducts calls, responds to emails, tracks data in Excel, creates and publishes content for social media platforms, assists with coordinates programs or events, performs entry-level research. 

Student Support II- Intermediate 

  • Some previous experience or knowledge. 
  • Some education preferred, but not required. 
  • Specialized training needed, building off training previously received, or knowledge obtained. 
  • Duties are varied and less routine. Processes and tasks require some independent thought. 
  • Projects may include access to confidential data systems or information. 
  • Moderate independent judgement or decision-making is needed. 
  • Some positions may not move beyond this level. 
  • Supervision is needed. 
  • Graduate students may be hired into this classification if the duties align. 
  • Sample working titles: Peer Advisor, Peer Health Educator, Student Events Coordinator, Machine Shop Assistant 
  • Sample duties: Advises peers, coordinates programs or events, educates peers on processes and/or topics, assists in functions and maintenance of machines. 

Student Support III- Advanced 

  • Prior experience and knowledge required. 
  • Some education preferred, but not required. 
  • Duties are consistently broad and varied. 
  • Independent judgement and decision-making are required. 
  • Students at this classification may supervise or direct the work of other student employees. 
  • Supervision is needed.
  • Graduate students may be hired into this classification if the duties align. 
  • Sample working titles: Lead Peer Advisor, Desk Manager, Lead Machine Shop Assistant 
  • Sample duties: Supervises student employees or leads projects for student employee team, advises peers. 

Student Support IV- Specialized 

  • Requires one year of relevant or related experience or equivalent education. 
  • Specialized knowledge or skills required. 
  • Duties and projects may be highly complex or highly technical. 
  • Considerable independent judgement or decision-making is required. 
  • Work is typically within the student’s field of study but is not required. 
  • May include the supervision of other student employees and/or direction of work. 
  • Limited supervision required. 
  • Tasks can be performed independently except for occasional complex situations or projects. 
  • Graduate students may be hired into this classification if the duties align. 
  • Sample working titles: Full-Stack Web Developer, Chemistry Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant Sample duties: Implement full-stack web applications, conduct high-level research, manage highly complex project from start to finish, educate enrolled students on topics. 

Student Support V- GXAs 

  • Work is directly connected to graduate students’ field of study and degree program. 
  • Approved through the Planning and Budget Office. Policy administered by the Office of Graduate Education. 
  • Offers must adhere to the GTA Handbook, including the requirement they include both a tuition waiver and monthly stipend unless exempted per policy. 
  • May support faculty by performing instruction-related duties such as teaching lower-level undergraduate courses and labs, developing teaching materials, leading class discussions, tutoring, preparing and giving examinations, and grading examinations or papers. 
  • May perform administrative and support functions or discipline-specific projects for an academic department or business unit. Responsibilities may include administrative support, lab monitoring, equipment management, web site development and maintenance, editorial work for scholarly journals, or routine support for publications or social media. 
  • May perform research assignments under the direct supervision of a faculty member who generally is the principal investigator on an external grant or contract. The research must be directly relevant to the student’s academic program of study, should relate directly to the student’s degree requirements, and should be reasonably expected to contribute to the student’s dissertation, thesis, or capstone project. 
  • Sample working titles: Graduate Teaching Assistant, Graduate Service Assistant, Graduate Research Assistant.