Salary Band Builder
Build a complete salary band structure with min/mid/max for each level. Export as CSV or copy to clipboard.
FAQ
What's a compa-ratio?
An employee's salary divided by the midpoint of their band. 1.0 = exactly at midpoint. Typical band penetration: new hires 0.85-0.95, solid performers 0.95-1.05, top performers 1.05-1.15. Above 1.15 usually means promotion is overdue.
How wide should bands be?
30-40% is typical (min = mid * 0.85, max = mid * 1.15). Wider bands give more flexibility but reduce promotion signal; narrower bands force promotion conversations.
Why have overlap between bands?
A senior at the top of L3 should usually earn more than a fresh L4. Overlap (~10-20%) reflects experience within a level.
When should I re-calibrate bands?
Annually at minimum. Pay transparency laws (CA, CO, NY, WA, more coming) make bands semi-public. Stale bands lose credibility quickly in tight talent markets.
Disclaimer. Bands are a structure, not a guarantee. Compensation must comply with pay equity and transparency laws in your jurisdiction. Have a compensation specialist or attorney review before formally adopting.