North Carolina Administrative Code
Title 25 - STATE HUMAN RESOURCES
Chapter 01 - OFFICE OF STATE HUMAN RESOURCES
Subchapter D - COMPENSATION
Section .0100 - ADMINISTRATION OF THE PAY PLAN
Section 01D .0102 - SALARY STRUCTURES

(a) The salary structures in the compensation plan maintained pursuant to Rule .0101 of this Section shall include all positions subject to the State Human Resources Act. Each such position shall be assigned to a pay grade with an associated salary range based on similar employment in the defined labor market. Each pay grade shall be assigned a minimum, midpoint, and maximum salary rate that is competitive with rates in the external labor market, consistent with the state's ability to pay and the hierarchy within state government employment. The minimum and maximum salary rates shall be the lowest and highest salary rates paid for a job assigned to that pay grade.

(b) Based on labor market demands, salary rates for some classifications may be approved above the standard rates. When a higher salary range (i.e., both the minimums and maximums are raised) is needed to recruit employees to certain areas of the state, the higher range(s) will be known as geographic differentials. When only the entry rates (and not the maximums) need to be higher, the higher rates will be known as special entry rates. Special entry rates may be approved on a geographic basis also.

(c) When geographic differentials are in effect, all salary administration policies are applied as if the classification were at the higher grade. Provisions for applying special entry rates are included in each policy.