ROCHESTER – Late in the afternoon of Friday, January 21, the Mayo Clinic released a statement to employees disappointed with the 2% to 3.3% increases announced this week, citing pandemic stress, staff shortages and rising costs because of inflation.

The Mayo Clinic’s official explanation for the increase for 2022 is that the increases are calculated only against “external market data.” The statement to employees was released three days after the increases were announced.

Many Mayo Clinic employees expressed frustration this week over the lower-than-expected increases, but no one would comment in a news article for fear of losing their jobs. The increases come on the heels of two stressful years, during which Mayo Clinic’s understaffed teams worked on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to do so.

The increases mean that employees at the top of the pay scale will receive 2% wage increases. Employees who have not reached the salary cap for their position can use .0275 as a multiplier leading to increases of more than 2%.

“Incorporating the multiplier, more than half of our staff will receive a raise of 3.3% or more,” according to the Mayo Clinic statement.

A national survey of 1,004 companies by business research firm Willis Towers Watson, another research firm, found that healthcare, media and financial services companies donated an average of 3% for 2022.

The salary adjustment goes to “eligible consulting and paramedic staff”, according to the internal message. The increases will take effect on March 16 and will appear on employees’ paychecks on April 5.

This increase is the same amount as that instituted by the Mayo Clinic in 2020 before the pandemic.

“We strive to provide raises each year, and appreciate our ability to be consistent in providing regular annual salary adjustments, despite the volatility in the cost of living,” the statement said. “When the Mayo Clinic establishes the annual salary adjustment, it uses market factors, including expected salary structure movement and projected salary increases across all industries. Mayo also reviews positions and makes market adjustments each year. year or as needed to ensure competitiveness, and we address areas where we have staffing issues.”

On the Mayo Clinic Employee News Center site, a list of frequently asked questions about raises was posted this week with answers from the nonprofit organization.

One question posed asked “Why isn’t the 2022 salary adjustment higher while Mayo Clinic continues to do well financially?”

Despite some early setbacks due to the pandemic, Mayo Clinic performed well on the business side with revenue of $4.01 billion in the third quarter of 2021. That’s 18.2% more than the 3, $39 billion in revenue recorded in the pre-pandemic third quarter of 2019.

“The Mayo Clinic has done very well in 2021, and the staff at Mayo have made this possible. 2021 has been a challenging year, and Mayo Clinic has expressed gratitude in many ways for the dedication and commitment of staff. Mayo will continue to do so,” according to the response. “As far as wages are concerned, these adjustments are based on external market data.”

Friday’s statement underscored how much the Mayo Clinic administration appreciates the 73,000 employees working across all of its campuses; approximately 39,000 work in the Rochester area.

“Mayo staff have gone above and beyond to provide compassionate patient care throughout this unprecedented time, and we are committed to recognizing staff for their commitment to our patients and our values,” the statement said. “When the Mayo Clinic establishes the annual salary adjustment, it uses market factors, including expected salary structure movement and projected salary increases across all industries. Mayo also reviews positions and makes market adjustments each year. year or as needed to ensure competitiveness, and we address areas where we have staffing issues.”

On social media and in anonymous posts, some Mayo Clinic employees said they would rather have a higher salary than ‘gratitude’ gifts like tote bags, apples and logo items. “Bold. from the Mayo Clinic. Forward”.

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Jeff Kiger tracks business action in Rochester and southeastern Minnesota every day in “Heard on the Street.” Send tips to

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