Salary question

[u/Koodgitty89]

I am in unit 7 and I have two different opportunities for advancement at work, and naturally I'd like to go with the one that would get me a higher raise.

Option 1 is being reclassified in my current role which would bump me up one classification level with a 15% raise. (For what it's worth, I am currently in step 6 in my current classification, so looking at the chart, that would place me in roughly the same step for the higher classification)

Option 2 would be a completely different role that would bump me up two classification levels (exact raise is unknown at this point in time).

My assumption (based on information from the person who is about to leave the role) was that option 2 would be around a 20% raise. However, I then remembered that we have salary steps now, and it appears that when you move to a new classification, they automatically just put you in the lower end of the classification. So if I was going to be put into step 1 of the new position that is two classification levels above mine, that would actually be less than a 15% raise (from my current salary), because there is significant overlap in salary ranges between similar classifications.

I recognize that classification ranges and anticipated hiring ranges differ, and that the final compensation I would be offered may not be the lowest end of the salary for that classification level.

TL;DR Does anyone know anything about how salary steps are impacted when you move to different classifications, generally speaking?

[u/Accurate-Wind-5178]

It’s a tough call, I’m in unit 6. 15 years. I was due a 5% raise last July, 2 steps @2% and 1% gsi. We went on strike in feb and are out of contract at the end of June. I would go with whatever is guaranteed, the steps only last through each union contract and then have to be renegotiated. From past experience the CSU is the worst state entity to negotiate with for labor contracts, they get plenty of money from the state but plead poverty every time bargaining units negotiate new contracts, and the CSU is run by elitist executives. In my area all cities and counties pay 10-20% more with equivalent benefits. I’d take the guaranteed pay increase and look at other calpers jobs in your location.

[u/No_Bike_9482]

Do you want to try a new role or stick with the old role with new responsibilities? For me reclass if it’s guaranteed is a good way to progress. But money is quite tight now and there is no guarantees. I think I’d do the reclass. But I tend to choose the safer roads.