Target rates of pay (also called market target rates of pay) were established by the city for each level within the respective bands. They reflect the competitive job market from which the city hires employees. The previously mentioned salary surveys, which include positions comparable to those with the city, are closely analyzed to obtain the competitive data and establish benchmarks and market target rates of pay. The Human Resources Department regularly conducts job market analyses and reports the results to the City Manager each year.

Each level within every band has a market target rate set at approximately 5 percent above the average rates of pay for benchmarked jobs within that level. For example, if the market study for a particular band level should be $2,500 per month, the city's market target for that level would be $2,625 (a 5 percent premium).

Each band will be adjusted according to the specific market analysis and individual bands will not necessarily adjust at the same rate. It is expected that all levels within a given band to move at the same rate of adjustment unless a multi-year trend indicates there should be pay adjustments within the band.

Although no formal salary minimum or maximum is listed for each job, the city works within a range of 20 percent below to 20 percent above each market target rate of pay. Twenty percent below the market target rate is the usual minimum hiring rate; and 20 percent above the market target rate is the usual maximum rate of pay.

For example, if the market target rate for a job is $3,522 per month, the minimum is 80 percent of the market target, or $2,818. Likewise, the maximum rate of pay is 120 percent of the market target rate, or $4,227. The market target rates of pay are shown in the chart above.

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