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2026 Rostered Leader Minimum Compensation Calculator
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Assumptions: (changes made here will factor into formulae below)
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Synod Median Cost-of-Living Index
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Inputs: (to calculate localized minimum guidelines, enter information into fields in yellow.)
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Current Total Defined Compensation (TDC):
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% of full time75%
*Use 100% unless position is part-time
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Years of Experience:10
*Remember to consider previous career experience
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Congregation Location:
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Local Cost of Living Index129.0
*This number is found by browsing to city-data.com, searching for the name of the town in which the congregation is located, and reading the data sheet.
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Calculations:Results
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2026 Minimum Salary + Housing (before adjustments, SECA allowance, and years of service)
 $ 55,176
*increase of 3.5% from 2025 Guidelines
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Apply local or minimum cost of living index, whichever is greater129.0 $ 71,177
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Calculate increase for years of experience
10 years x $400
 $ 4,000
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Total Full-Time minimum with Years of Experience $ 75,177
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Multiply by percent of full-time75% $ 56,383
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Add Social Security allowanceรท 0.9235 $ 61,053
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Minimum Guideline (Total Defined Compensation for hours worked)
 $ 61,053
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Target Median Guideline:(+15%) $ 70,211
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Maximum Guideline: (+30%) $ 79,369
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Current TDC
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Increase required to meet minimum guideline $ 61,053
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