What is a Pay Scale?

Answer:
A pay scale is a list or table that shows how

much money employees will earn in a job. Prospective employees can usually look at a pay scale before accepting a job, so that they can see how much money they will make upon beginning the job, as well as how much they will have the opportunity to make upon advancement.

All companies do not use pay scales, but those who do usually provide “steps,” or increases in the pay of employees based on seniority or education.

School districts, for example, usually pay teachers according to a pay scale table, in which teachers might move across the table as they increase their education, and up or down the table according to seniority, increasing in pay both ways.

A pay scale is most often thought of as being used in unionized professions, but can be a way for any company to eliminate favoritism and make sure that all employees are paid fairly, according to their experience and education.