Designing job architectures and salary structures

ARTICLE | April 14, 2025

Authored by RSM US LLP

Executive summary

Designing job architectures and salary structures has become a vital component for both public and private sector organizations. As the workforce landscape evolves, organizations must adapt their strategies to remain competitive in attracting and retaining talent. This article explores six key trends shaping job architectures and compensation strategies, including the growing emphasis on skill-based frameworks, pay transparency and equity, the impact of hybrid and remote work, leveraging real-time market data, the shift towards flexible salary structures, and the integration of total rewards and well-being initiatives. By understanding and implementing these trends, organizations can create job architectures that align with their strategic goals while meeting the diverse needs of their workforce.

Purpose

In today's rapidly evolving landscape, designing job architectures and salary structures has become a critical focus for both public and private sector organizations. Middle-market organizations may face unique challenges as they strive to remain competitive in attracting and retaining talent while balancing budget constraints and growth goals. The trends discussed offer practical insights to help guide you in designing effective and sustainable solutions.

Emphasis on skill-based job architectures

Traditionally, job architectures have been designed around job titles, roles and responsibilities. However, the focus is increasingly shifting towards skill-based frameworks that emphasize employees' skills, competencies and capabilities over their job titles. This shift allows organizations to:

• Enhance workforce agility by incorporating skills-based frameworks to make it easier to deploy talent based on project needs, supporting organizational adaptability.
• Facilitate internal mobility where employees can explore various career paths aligned with their skills, driving engagement and retention.
• Optimize compensation ensuring that employees are compensated based on their skills and capabilities, promoting equity and transparency.

Recommendation: Middle-market organizations should conduct skill audits to identify critical competencies and create job architectures that align with strategic priorities.

Greater focus on pay transparency and equity

Pay transparency and equity have become top priorities for employees, regulators, and the public. In an era of heightened awareness around pay disparities, organizations are under pressure to ensure fair and equitable compensation practices. This trend is especially prevalent in the public sector, where transparency laws are more stringent.

• Public sector impact: Public organizations face increasing scrutiny regarding pay equity, requiring rigorous job evaluation processes to justify salary levels.
• Private sector impact: The rise of pay transparency laws across various states and municipalities is pushing private-sector employers to be more open about their compensation practices.

Recommendation: Implement job evaluation methodologies and conduct regular pay equity analyses to ensure internal and external fairness in compensation structures.

Hybrid and remote work considerations

The shift towards hybrid and remote work has transformed how organizations think about job architecture and salary structures. Geography-based pay structures are evolving as employers move towards more flexible and location-agnostic models.

• Remote work: Some organizations have adopted location-based pay differentials, while others are exploring nationwide pay bands to create consistency.
• Hybrid work: Roles may need to be re-evaluated based on new working arrangements, impacting job levels, responsibilities and compensation.

Recommendation: Develop a job architecture framework that accommodates remote and hybrid work models, including policies for location-based pay adjustments where appropriate.

Embracing market data and real-time benchmarking

Access to real-time compensation data has become more critical than ever, enabling organizations to make informed decisions about salary structures. This trend is driving the adoption of advanced data analytics and benchmarking tools to stay competitive.

• Public sector consideration: Public sector should identify its competitive positions and use market data to match private-sector pay, where feasible, especially for high-demand roles.
• Private sector consideration: Private organizations should use compensation platforms to adapt quickly to market shifts and attract top talent.

Recommendation: Utilize comprehensive salary surveys and leverage compensation data and analytics to make informed salary decisions.

Flexible and customizable salary structures

The concept of "one-size-fits-all" salary structures is becoming outdated. Middle-market organizations are moving towards more flexible, customizable salary frameworks that align with employees' unique career paths, skills, and preferences.

• Public sector adaptation: Public organizations are exploring more dynamic pay ranges to accommodate changing talent needs while complying with regulatory requirements.
• Private sector flexibility: Private companies are adopting broad pay bands, allowing managers to tailor compensation based on individual performance, skills, and market conditions.

Recommendation: Develop a job architecture that includes flexible salary bands and supports various career trajectories, providing opportunities for growth and progression.

Integrating total rewards and well-being initiatives

Compensation alone is no longer the primary driver of employee satisfaction. Organizations are adopting a holistic approach to total rewards, integrating benefits, well-being programs, and career development opportunities into their job architectures and salary structures.

• Public sector focus: Public organizations can differentiate themselves by offering comprehensive benefits packages and career development programs that rival the private sector.
• Private sector integration: Private companies should emphasize a total rewards approach, including wellness programs, flexible work arrangements and learning opportunities.

Recommendation: Ensure that your job architecture and salary structure reflect a holistic total rewards strategy, addressing employees' physical, financial and emotional well-being.

Designing effective job architectures and salary structures requires a strategic approach that balances flexibility, transparency and competitiveness. By embracing skill-based frameworks, prioritizing pay equity, adapting to remote work trends, leveraging real-time market data, using flexible salary structures, and integrating total rewards initiatives, middle-market organizations can create job architectures and compensation strategies that attract, retain and engage top talent in an ever-changing landscape.

This article was written by Antoinita Thompson and originally appeared on 2025-04-14. Reprinted with permission from RSM US LLP.
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