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Frequently asked questions about changes to UC Santa Cruz’s salary ranges:


  1. What is a salary range?
  2. What are the definitions of minimum, midpoint, and maximum of the salary range?
  3. What does the midpoint of the salary range represent?
  4. What does it mean when salary ranges are “adjusted”?
  5. When was the last time the salary ranges were adjusted?
  6. What is the percentage increase applied to the new salary ranges?
  7. What if my salary falls below the minimum of the salary range?
  8. What if my salary is above the new maximum of the salary range?
  9. Do these salary ranges apply to all UC Santa Cruz positions?
  10. What is a salary grade?

  1. What is a salary range?
    • The range of pay from minimum to maximum established for a salary grade or job.
  2. What are the definitions of minimum, midpoint, and maximum of the salary range?
    • Minimum: The lowest salary rate assigned to a salary range.
    • Midpoint: The salary rate that represents the middle of a salary range.
    • Maximum: The highest salary rate assigned to a salary range.
  3. What does the midpoint of the salary range represent?
    • The midpoint represents the current market value of a particular job.
  4. What does it mean when salary ranges are “adjusted”?
    • The adjustment to the salary ranges refers to the upward movement of the midpoint pay of the salary range by a percentage based on salary survey data. The minimum and maximum of the salary ranges may move upward or downward based on desired salary range width.
  5. When was the last time the salary ranges were adjusted?
    • The last salary range adjustment was in July 2023.
  6. What is the percentage increase applied to the new salary ranges?
    • The new salary range midpoints were increased by approximately 8.7%.
  7. What if my salary falls below the minimum of the salary range?
    • You will receive a salary increase to bring your salary to the minimum of the new salary range.
  8. What if my salary is above the new maximum of the salary range?
    • Your salary will remain the same.
  9. Do these salary ranges apply to all UC Santa Cruz positions?
    • The changes apply to all non-represented Career Track positions. Represented positions are not affected as they are governed by Collective Bargaining Agreements.
  10. What is a salary grade?
    • A pay level within a salary structure assigned to a group of jobs of the same or similar value.