Job evaluation is a complicated but important process in achieving pay equality. In this
article, we will explain what job evaluation is, discuss the four key methods of job
evaluation, and we will take you through the full job evaluation process. Let’s dive in!
Contents
What is job evaluation? A definition
Job evaluation methods
The job evaluation process – 4 steps
Step 1 – Planning & diagnosis
Step 2 – Design & development
Step 3 – Validation & modeling
Step 4 – Communication & roll-out
Conclusion
FAQ
What is job evaluation? A definition
Job evaluation is the systematic process of determining the relative value of different jobs in
an organization. The goal of job evaluation is to compare jobs with each other in order to
create a pay structure that is fair, equitable, and consistent for everyone. This ensures that
everyone is paid their worth and that different jobs have different entry and performance
requirements.
Job evaluations are developed by HR, often together with workers unions and other social
partners and commercial consultancy companies.
The advantage of job evaluation is that it does not take into account the qualities of the job
holder. According to a report on this topic by the European Commission, the relative worth
of a job is assessed irrespective of the qualities of the specific job holder.
The relative worth corresponds to a ranking, which in turn corresponds to basic pay
brackets or scales (called wage grids). Personal qualities of the job holder (including
seniority, education level, tenure) are rewarded by an entitlement to higher steps within the
applicable pay bracket.
Job evaluation requires some basic job analysis to provide factual information about the jobs
concerned. The starting point is often the job analysis and its resulting job description. Based
on this, the job is evaluated. One of the key criteria in the evaluation is the added value of
the job to the organization. Based on this evaluation, the job is added to the job structure.
The resulting structure ensures pay transparency and equity between gender and minorities.
The European Commission actively encourages the use of job evaluation. According
to Cordis, which coordinates EU-supported R&D activities, 49% of European organizations
in the private sector use a formal Job Evaluation scheme, with SMEs at less than 3%. This
lack of evaluation leads to unstructured wage payment practices and a lack of requirementbased career and skill development for employees.
Job evaluation methods
There are different methods that can be used for job evaluation. The easiest way to split
these up is to make a distinction between qualitative and quantitative methods.
Four common job evaluation methods
Qualitative
Quantitative
Job to job comparison
Ranking method/ pair comparison
ranking
Factor-comparison
method
Job to pre-determined grade
comparison
Job classification
Point-factor method
Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. The qualitative methods
are usually faster while the quantitative methods are more objective and take into account
required skills and responsibilities. The best approach is always a combination of methods.
We will give a brief explanation of each of the methods.
Evaluation method
Description
Ranking
method/ Paired
comparison
Jobs are paired and for each pair the most impactful job is chosen. This
results in a forced ranking of different jobs based on their seniority. This
approach is only recommended for smaller organizations with fewer than
100 jobs
Job classification
Jobs are ranked based on a pre-determined grade comparison. An example
classification is a CEO, vice president, director, manager, and operator. This
is a pre-determined ranking that many US-based organizations use. Grades
are created among job families (e.g., marketing, HR, sales). For more
information, see our full article on job classification.
Factor-comparison
method
Jobs are ranked on a series of factors, the most frequently used factors
being knowledge & skills, communication & contacts, decision making,
impact, people management, freedom to act, working environment and
responsibility for financial resources. Each factor is assigned points and the
total number of points indicate the job’s ranking
Point-factor
method
Jobs are assessed on required know-how, problem-solving abilities, and
accountability. Each factor is assigned points and the total number of points
indicates the job’s ranking.
Market pricing
Assessing rates of pay by reference to market rates for comparable jobs
leading to pricing the job based on what it is worth. Does not take internal
equity into account, nor the fact that the internal value of a job may differ
from their market value. Market pricing can perpetuate marketplace
inequalities, defeating the purpose of the job evaluation.
Depending on the organizational size and complexity, different methods are chosen. The
paired comparison method (as displayed below) works well for smaller organizations, while
a factor-comparison or a point-factor method works better for larger organizations.
A simplified paired comparison matrix by Armstrong et al., 2003
Point-factor method
Of all job evaluation methods, the point-factor method is probably the best known. On a
high level, the steps for this approach are as follows:
1. Jobs are listed
2. Evaluation factors are defined
3. Scoring degrees on these factors are determined
4. Per job, points are allocated for each factor
5. A wage structure is defined
6. Adjustment of the existing wage structure
The result is a spread of points and a salary range per job, similar to the image below. Any
outliers can be calculated and need to be dealt with on an individual basis. We will go into
more detail in the next section.
The job evaluation process: 4 steps
The job evaluation process involves four steps. These steps are planning and diagnosis,
design & development, validation & modeling, and communication & roll-out.
Armstrong et al., 2003
Phase 1. Planning & diagnosis
In this phase, the job evaluation project is started with an initial workshop. During this
workshop, the evaluation is scoped and approaches for evaluation are decided on.
In terms of scope, decisions need to be made on cost, time constraints, the degree of rigor
applied, administration, tooling & software, how much external help is required, how to
build on previous projects, and how job evaluation will be used to support equal pay.
The organization also needs to decide on their job evaluation scheme. There are multiple
schemes with different degrees of customization.
Proprietary. This is an existing framework, created by consultants. It has been tried
and tested, is easy to implement, and requires low internal effort. The con is that it
may not suit every organization and creates dependence on the supplier.
 Customized. This builds upon an existing framework like an (outdated) job
framework that is already in place and builds on top of that. This provides a good
starting point, leads to faster implementation, and helps to create employee buy-in.
Its biggest con is that the framework needs to be sufficiently revised as it may
otherwise not suit the organization.
 Tailor-made. This is a fully customized scheme, developed in-house with the help of
external advisors. It leads to a great fit with the organization, the participatory
process leads to buy-in and enables alignment with a competency framework. The
drawback is that the process will take longer and is a costly exercise.
Next, benchmark jobs are identified, data collection is planned, and a communication plan is
created.

Phase 2. Design & development
In the next phase, the evaluation elements and levels are determined. This often happens
through a workshop. In this phase, it is important to identify elements that are relatively
timeless. Keep in mind: the job scheme is relevant for as long as the elements it is based on
are relevant.
Because of the cost and effort to create a job scheme, they could stay relevant for well over
25 years. In our article about job classification, I give the example of Russian organizations
that still work with the frameworks provided by the state during the USSR.
Once this is all done, data on the different roles in the organization is collected.
Phase 3. Validation & modeling
In the third phase, the results from the data collection are analyzed and the weightings of
the different elements are discussed. This may require some fine-tuning as initial definitions
may skew the results.
Next, a pay grade structure is drafted, and jobs are categorized. There will always be a set of
jobs that do not match the pay grade structure. An example could be specialist roles in
artificial intelligence and machine learning that are very scarce while crucial for the
company’s future. These may have to be put on a different salary scale. The risk here is that
these jobs may be much more abundant in say 10 years, so by then they may be
overcompensated so this may have to be revised later.
Phase 4. Communication & roll-out
In the final phase of the job evaluation process, the structure is implemented. Best practices
are to explain everyone affected why their pay grade structure may have changed. There
should also be an opportunity to appeal decisions that are perceived as unfair. Here it is
important to hear and investigate what employees have to say.
This phase will be easier if there is buy-in from the organization. Also note, lowering salaries
for workers may not be possible as wages could be protected under national labor laws or it
may prompt people to leave the organization. Taking all of this into account will be an
administrative challenge.
Conclusion
That is it for the job evaluation. There is of course much more that can be said about this
topic but that would require us to write a book. Resources we can recommend are the Hay
job evaluation manual and the book Job Evaluation by Armstrong and colleagues, which we
used as one of the resources for this article.
There are three basic methods of job evaluation: (1) ranking, (2) classification, (3) factor comparison.
While many variations of these methods exist in practice, the three basic approaches are described
here.
Ranking Method
Perhaps the simplest method of job evaluation is the ranking method. According to this method, jobs
are arranged from highest to lowest, in order of their value or merit to the organization. Jobs also can
be arranged according to the relative difficulty in performing them. The jobs are examined as a whole
rather than on the basis of important factors in the job; and the job at the top of the list has the highest
value and obviously the job at the bottom of the list will have the lowest value.
Jobs are usually ranked in each department and then the department rankings are combined to
develop an organizational ranking. The following table is a hypothetical illustration of ranking of jobs.
Table: Array of Jobs according to the Ranking Method
Rank
Monthly salaries
1. Accountant
Rs 3,000
2. Accounts clerk
Rs 1,800
3. Purchase assistant
Rs 1,700
4. Machine-operator
Rs 1,400
5. Typist
Rs 900
6. Office boy
Rs 600
The variation in payment of salaries depends on the variation of the nature of the job performed by
the employees. The ranking method is simple to understand and practice and it is best suited for a
small organization. Its simplicity, however, works to its disadvantage in big organizations because
rankings are difficult to develop in a large, complex organization. Moreover, this kind of ranking is
highly subjective in nature and may offend many employees. Therefore, a more scientific and fruitful
way of job evaluation is called for.
Classification Method
According to this method, a predetermined number of job groups or job classes are established and
jobs are assigned to these classifications. This method places groups of jobs into job classes or job
grades. Separate classes may include office, clerical, managerial, personnel, etc. Following is a brief
description of such a classification in an office.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Class I - Executives: Further classification under this category may be Office manager,
Deputy office manager, Office superintendent, Departmental supervisor, etc.
Class II - Skilled workers: Under this category may come the Purchasing assistant,
Cashier, Receipts clerk, etc.
Class III - Semiskilled workers: Under this category may come Stenotypists, Machineoperators, Switchboard operators, etc.
Class IV - Semiskilled workers: This category comprises Daftaris, File clerks, Office boys,
etc.
The job classification method is less subjective when compared to the earlier ranking method. The
system is very easy to understand and acceptable to almost all employees without hesitation. One
strong point in favor of the method is that it takes into account all the factors that a job comprises.
This system can be effectively used for a variety of jobs.
The weaknesses of the job classification method are:
 Even when the requirements of different jobs differ, they may be combined into a single category,
depending on the status a job carries.
 It is difficult to write all-inclusive descriptions of a grade.
 The method oversimplifies sharp differences between different jobs and different grades.

When individual job descriptions and grade descriptions do not match well, the evaluators have the
tendency to classify the job using their subjective judgments.
Factor Comparison Method
A more systematic and scientific method of job evaluation is the factor comparison method. Though it
is the most complex method of all, it is consistent and appreciable. Under this method, instead of
ranking complete jobs, each job is ranked according to a series of factors. These factors include
mental effort, physical effort, skill needed, supervisory responsibility, working conditions and other
relevant factors (for instance, know-how, problem solving abilities, accountability, etc.). Pay will be
assigned in this method by comparing the weights of the factors required for each job, i.e., the present
wages paid for key jobs may be divided among the factors weighed by importance (the most
important factor, for instance, mental effort, receives the highest weight). In other words, wages are
assigned to the job in comparison to its ranking on each job factor.
The steps involved in factor comparison method may be briefly stated thus:
 Select key jobs (say 15 to 20), representing wage/salary levels across the organization. The
selected jobs must represent as many departments as possible.
 Find the factors in terms of which the jobs are evaluated (such as skill, mental effort, responsibility,
physical effort, working conditions, etc.).
 Rank the selected jobs under each factor (by each and every member of the job evaluation
committee) independently.
 Assign money value to each factor and determine the wage rates for each key job.
 The wage rate for a job is apportioned along the identified factors.
 All other jobs are compared with the list of key jobs and wage rates are determined.
An example of how the factor comparison method works is given below:
Table: Merits and Demerits of Factor Comparison Method
Demerits
Merits




Analytical and objective.
Reliable and valid as each job is
compared with all other jobs in terms of
key factors.
Money values are assigned in a fair way
based on an agreed rank order fixed by
the job evaluation committee.
Flexible as there is no upper limitation on
the rating of a factor.



Difficult to understand, explain and
operate.
Its use of the same criteria to assess all
jobs is questionable as jobs differ across
and within organizations.
Time consuming and costly.
Point method
This method is widely used currently. Here, jobs are expressed in terms of key factors. Points are
assigned to each factor after prioritizing each factor in the order of importance. The points are
summed up to determine the wage rate for the job. Jobs with similar point totals are placed in similar
pay grades. The procedure involved may be explained thus:
(a)
Select key jobs. Identify the factors common to all the identified jobs such as skill, effort,
responsibility, etc.
(b)
Divide each major factor into a number of sub factors. Each sub factor is defined and
expressed clearly in the order of importance, preferably along a scale.
The most frequent factors employed in point systems are:
I.
Skill (key factor): Education and training required, Breadth/depth of experience required,
Social skills required, Problem-solving skills, Degree of discretion/use of judgment,
Creative thinking;
II. Responsibility/Accountability: Breadth of responsibility, Specialized responsibility,
Complexity of the work, Degree of freedom to act, Number and nature of subordinate
staff, Extent of accountability for equipment/plant, Extent of accountability for
product/materials;
III. Effort: Mental demands of a job, Physical demands of a job, Degree of potential stress.
The educational requirements (sub factor) under the skill (key factor) may be expressed thus in the
order of importance.
Degree
Define
1.
Able to carry out simple calculations; High School educated
2.
Does all the clerical operations; computer literate; graduate
3
Handles mail, develops contacts, takes initiative and does work independently; post graduate
Assign point values to degrees after fixing a relative value for each key factor.
Table: Point Values to Factors along a Scale
Point values for Degrees
Total
Factor
1
2
3
4
5
Skill
10
20
30
40
50
150
Physical effort
8
16
24
32
40
120
Mental effort
5
10
15
20
25
75
Responsibility
7
14
21
28
35
105
Working conditions 6
12
18
24
30
90
Maximum total points of all factors depending on their importance to job =
540
(Bank Officer)
4
Find the maximum number of points assigned to each job (after adding up the point values of
all sub-factors of such a job). This would help in finding the relative worth of a job. For instance, the
maximum points assigned to an officer's job in a bank come to 540. The manager's job, after adding
up key factors + sub factors' points, may be getting a point value of, say 650 from the job evaluation
committee. This job is now priced at a higher level.
5
Once the worth of a job in terms of total points is expressed, the points are converted into
money values keeping in view the hourly/daily wage rates. A wage survey, usually, is undertaken to
collect wage rates of certain key jobs in the organization. Let's explain this:
Table: Conversion of Job Grade Points into Money Value
Point range Daily wage rate (Rs) Job grades of key bank officials
500-600
300-400
1
Officer
600-700
400-500
2
Accountant
700-800
500-600
3
Manager I Scale
800-900
600-700
4
Manager II Scale
900-1,000
700-800
5
Manager III Scale
Merits and Demerits
The point method is a superior and widely used method of evaluating jobs. It forces raters to look into
all keys factors and sub-factors of a job. Point values are assigned to all factors in a systematic way,
eliminating bias at every stage. It is reliable because raters using similar criteria would get more or
less similar answers. “The methodology underlying the approach contributes to a minimum of rating
error” (Robbins, p.361). It accounts for differences in wage rates for various jobs on the strength of job
factors. Jobs may change over time, but the rating scales established under the point method remain
unaffected.
On the negative side, the point method is complex. Preparing a manual for various jobs, fixing values
for key and sub-factors, establishing wage rates for different grades, etc., is a time consuming
process. According to Decenzo and Robbins, “the key criteria must be carefully and clearly identified,
degrees of factors have to be agreed upon in terms that mean the same to all rates, the weight of
each criterion has to be established and point values must be assigned to degrees”. This may be too
taxing, especially while evaluating managerial jobs where the nature of work (varied, complex, novel)
is such that it cannot be expressed in quantifiable numbers