Download the 2025 Compensation Report
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The Cherokee Nation announced today the release of its 2025 Annual Compensation Report, confirming the successful completion of its multi-year initiative to raise the minimum wage for all hourly tribal government employees to $15 per hour. This final phase, effective in October 2025, fulfills the key promises made by the Hoskin/Warner Administration in 2019 to prioritize the financial well-being of its Cherokee workforce and strengthen the local economy.
The comprehensive report also details the Cherokee Nation’s commitment to maintaining a competitive and equitable pay structure for its nearly 6,000 employees. A market analysis benchmarked about 1,600 unique job descriptions against the competitive labor market, confirming the Cherokee Nation’s overall salary structure is now aligned with market midpoints. This strategic effort ensures the Cherokee Nation can attract and retain top talent to serve Cherokee citizens.
The report also highlights the Cherokee Nation as a national leader in gender pay equity, with a gap approximately 8 percentage points lower than both the U.S. and Oklahoma state averages.
"Fulfilling our promise to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour is a landmark achievement that reflects our deepest Cherokee values of taking care of our people and our communities," said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. "This report validates that our strategic investments in our workforce are working, and it ensures that our people are thriving. We have not only achieved a living wage for our employees but have also ensured our pay is competitive and fair across the board. This allows us to recruit and retain the best and brightest to carry out the critical work of the Cherokee Nation for the benefit of our citizens."
The report’s findings are the result of strategic planning, investments and continuous monitoring. In fiscal year 2023, the administration allocated $10.6 million to bring employee salaries to market-competitive levels. The FY25 report confirms the adjustments were successful, with the Cherokee Nation’s salary structure showing less than a 1% deviation from the market’s 50th percentile.
"Our employees are our most valuable asset, and this report shows our commitment to them by treating them with the fairness and respect they deserve," said Deputy Chief Bryan Warner. "By ensuring our wages are not only competitive but also equitable, we reinforce our status as a top employer. This helps us retain a dedicated and talented workforce that is passionate about serving the Cherokee people, securing a strong future for our government and our citizens for generations to come."
Moving forward, the Cherokee Nation will continue to monitor market trends and conduct internal equity assessments to address any potential pay compression issues and maintain its competitive edge.
"This data-driven approach allows the Cherokee Nation to remain an employer of choice in the region," said Speaker of the Council Johnny Jack Kidwell. "We are committed to ensuring the Cherokee Nation's compensation strategy remains fair, supportive of employee well-being, and aligned with our mission."
The Cherokee Nation has been named by Forbes as America’s Best Large Employers and America’s Best Employers by State in 2025.
The Cherokee Nation also has implemented two hours paid mental health leave per month, increased parental leave, and foster and adoption leave for Cherokee citizens.
The full report can be found here: cherokee.org/about-the-nation/public-notices/