What is a pay scale?

A pay scale is a graded scale of wages or salaries paid within a particular organization or profession. It is a system that determines how much an individual in a certain profession should be paid. This is often based on many factors, such as experience level, education, and certifications.

A pay scale is a range of salaries for a position. These often focus on the specific position title, as well as location. There is often a national pay scale for a position, as well as a local pay scale. For example, an electrical engineer in Seattle, Washington makes anywhere from $60,000 to $160,000 yearly. On average, in the US, that scale moves from $65,000 to $130,000 annually.