Cost of Living Updates - Minimum Compensation Guidelines for 2026
In the East Central Synod of Wisconsin, the Minimum Compensation Guidelines document is annually reviewed and adopted by our Synod Assembly. The guidelines in this document provide support for congregations to annually review the compensation packages of rostered ministers (pastors or deacons) or to budget for future rostered minister salaries.
For the last two synod assemblies, we have voted to adopt Minimum Compensation Guidelines with an increase for Cost of Living for rostered ministers based on the Social Security Administration's Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) recommendation released annually each fall. In May 2025, the Synod Assembly voted to adopt the 2026 Minimum Compensation Guidelines as presented. At the time they were adopted, the guidelines did not make a specific percentage recommendation. Instead, they recommended an increase for rostered ministers that aligns with the Social Security Administration annual Cost of Living Adjustment - so long as the recommended COLA was above 2% and below 5%.
The recommended increase for social security general benefits is based on how much the cost of living over the past year has increased as measured by the Consumer Price Index. Aligning our recommended percentage increase with the SSA means for 2026 that base compensation levels for our rostered ministers will be adjusted according to the same percentage of social security benefits. On Friday, October 24th, the Social Security Administration recommended a 2.8% increase beginning January 2026. You can learn more about this adjustment by visiting this link: https://blog.ssa.gov/social-security-announces-benefit-increase-for-2026/
Because the 2026 Minimum Compensation Guidelines were approved by the Synod Assembly prior to the release of the annual COLA percentage recommendation by the SSA, we shared that an updated version of the guidelines and specifically, the chart on page 8 (that makes specific recommendations based on years of experience and roster) would be released by the first week in November.
You can find that updated copy on our synod website and by clicking this link . All of the changes in the October 2025 Updated Version of the 2026 Minimum Compensation Guidelines will be highlighted in yellow. Our synod’s online salary and benefit calculator is also updated to reflect the 2026 increase. You can find the calculator by visiting https://www.ecsw.org/minimum-compensation-guidelines Any questions may be directed to ecsw@ecsw.org or 920.734.5381.
While these guidelines are recommendations regarding compensation for rostered ministers, Bishop Anne has offered the following reflection: “Ministry thrives in healthy relationships. An essential component to a healthy working relationship between a rostered minister and congregation is an appropriate compensation package. To this end, our Minimum Compensation Guidelines outlines the standard cost of rostered ministry for congregations.” We hope this shared work can help relationships between congregations and leaders thrive so that all people can know the fullness of authentic relationships, because of Christ.
