The Code of Virginia provides in part that: "It is the goal of the Commonwealth that its employees be compensated at a rate comparable to the rate of compensation for employees in the private sector of the Commonwealth in similar occupations. In determining comparability, consideration shall be given to the economic value of fringe benefits in addition to direct compensation." (Section 2.1-114.6} In accordance with this section the Department of Personnel and Training has conducted its annual compensation review, the results of which are attached.

This survey is the fifth that has been printed and disseminated to the Governor and the members of the General Assembly. It is important to note that this survey is but one of a number of salary surveys that are performed by the Department of Personnel and Training (DPT) in an on-going effort to maintain up-to-date salary information on classes comparable to those in State service. In addition DPT participates in a large number of other surveys, the results of which are made available to us. These surveys make up a significant base of information that allows DPT to make specific salary recommendations throughout the year on an as-needed basis for the approximately 2800 classes in State service. The purpose of the attached survey is to determine generally the competitiveness of the Commonwealth's salary and fringe benefit practices. Methodology involves distributing salary surveys forms to participants, follow up on-site visits to check comparisons, data analysis, and finally compilation into the format that is attached.