SD39 - Instituting Salary Differentials in the Cities of Fredericksburg and Winchester and the Counties of Frederick, Spotsylvania, and Stafford

  • Published: 1994
  • Author: Department of Personnel and Training
  • Enabling Authority: Senate Joint Resolution 237 (Regular Session, 1993)

Executive Summary:
Senate Joint Resolution No. 237 requested that a study be conducted of the "necessity for instituting a salary differential for state employees working in the Cities of Fredericksburg and Winchester and the Counties of Frederick, Spotsylvania and Stafford." This report examines the salaries paid in these areas by the local governments and private firms who responded to the survey.

In conducting this study, the Department of Personnel and Training considered whether the existing northern Virginia salary differentials (*1) should be extended to all job classes in the study locations, or whether salary differentials should be extended to specific job classes. (*2)

The salary and turnover data gathered in the study indicate that, currently, there appears to be no compelling basis to extend the northern Virginia salary differential to all job classes in the cities of Fredericksburg and Winchester and the counties of Frederick, Stafford and Spotsylvania. The average salary deviation for the job classes surveyed for each area is less than the average statewide deviation or the same job classes. Thus, there is not sufficient evidence that all job classes in the cities of Fredericksburg and Winchester and the counties of Frederick, Stafford, and Spotsylvania warrant a salary differential.

Certain job classes, however, have higher salary deviations than the statewide average and, thus, specific salary differentials may be necessary to address these limited staffing problems. Accordingly, the Department of Personnel and Training will contact each affected agency with job classes which have a high salary deviation to review the viability of establishing salary differentials for these specific classes.
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(*1) The northern Virginia salary differential was established during World War II, when defense efforts created a disadvantage to the state in attracting and retaining employees in the immediate Washington, D. C. area. The differential has been expanded gradually over the years to include more job classes and geographical areas. Northern Virginia salaries are reviewed annually by the Department of Personnel and Training and the differential is adjusted to comport with changes in competitive conditions.

(*2) As specified in Section 4-6.01(i) of Chapter 994, Virginia Acts of Assembly, pay differentials for employees in specific job classifications in particular geographic areas can be authorized. Under this authority, agencies experiencing staffing problems with specific job classes may request that the Department of Personnel and Training establish salary differentials.