Employee Grade Levels

Many companies find it useful to create employee grade levels. Creating employee grade levels assures equal compensation for the same work across different departments and divisions. If your company employs designers, sales people, programmers and accountants, for instance, how do you make sure they receive equal compensation and treatment when such different people have similar responsibility levels? One good solution is employee grade levels.

Sample Employee Grade Level Descriptions

Here are examples of employee grade level descriptions from individual employees up to the Vice President level.

Level A - Individual Contributor

• Individuals at this level usually follow standard work routines
• They generally work under close supervision
• They typically have very little decision making ability
• Typically less than three years relevant experience is required at this level.

Level B - Professionals

• Individuals at this level usually have procedural or systems experience
• They generally work under general supervision
• Their decisions are usually based on established procedures
• Typically 3-5 years relevant experience is required at this level.

Level C - Managers and Senior Technical Professionals

• Individuals at this level must have command of the procedures and systems used.
• They generally work to specific measurable objectives requiring operational planning skill with little direct supervision
• They have considerable latitude for making decisions within their unit
• People skills are important
• Typically 5-7 years relevant experience is required at this level.

Level D - Directors

• Individuals at this level must have a thorough understanding of the theoretical and practical application of the principles of their profession.
• They generally work to broad goals for their area of responsibility
• They have significant latitude for making decisions for their operational or functional units
• People skills are essential
• Typically 8-10 years relevant experience is required at this level.

Level E - Vice President

• Individuals at this level are seasoned professionals in their field of expertise
• They give strategic to the units under their control
• They develop and direct short and near term goals for their units
• Their decision making is only to direction from top management
• People skills are essential, including the ability to develop subordinates, are critical.
• More than 10 years relevant experience is required at this level.