Above Scale Step Plus Advancement Guidelines
For Above Scale actions, see APM 220-18 b. (4), APM UCD 220 IV. C. 2. e. or applicable title series policy for above scale guidance. The Step Plus advancement guidelines are as follows:
- Above Scale, One-Step Advancement
Continued performance at levels commensurate with the expectations for an Above-Scale Professor. - Above Scale One and One-Half Step Advancement
Continued performance at levels commensurate with the expectations for an Above-Scale Professor, accompanied by outstanding achievement in one area. - Above Scale Two-Step Advancement
Continued performance at levels commensurate with the expectations for an Above-Scale Professor, accompanied by outstanding achievements in two areas.
Calculating First Above Scale merit salaries in the Step Plus System
We provided the first Above Scale salary in each of the Step Plus System Salary Tables. The calculation for the first above scale merit is:
(A) Take Step 9 divided by Step 8. Round this figure to the third decimal point (using the fourth decimal to determine if the third is rounded up or stays the same).
(B) Take Step 9 base multiplied by the result of step A.
(C) Round this dollar figure to the nearest $100 (note: this dollar figure is included in the footnotes of the salary table), per APM 600-18 b.
(D) If applicable, add the off-scale (UCOFF1) to the result in step C to get the new above scale base salary (UCABVE). Do not add to the new base salary any temporary off-scales, such as supplements or other off-scales with special conditions (UCOFF2 and UCOFF3). If the off-scale is not rounded to the nearest $100, round the total dollar figure to the nearest $100 per APM 620-4.
If the candidate is to be considered for a merit increase that crosses the First Above Scale, multiply the results of step C by the standard further above scale percentage (2.5% for each half-step beyond the first above scale, see step D below):
(A) Take Step 9 divided by Step 8. Round this figure to the third decimal point (using the fourth decimal to determine if the third is rounded up or stays the same).
(B) Take Step 9 base multiplied by the result of step A.
(C) Round this dollar figure to the nearest $100 (note: this dollar figure is included in the footnotes of the salary table).
(D) For each an additional half-step, multiply the result of step C by the appropriate percentage:
- Additional half-step multiply by 1.025
- Additional whole-step multiply by 1.05
- Additional one-and-one-half-step multiply by 1.075
(E) Round this dollar figure to the nearest $100, per APM 600-18 b.
(F) If applicable, add the off-scale (UCOFF1/UCHSO1) to the result in step E to get the new above scale base salary (UCABVE). Do not add to the new base salary any temporary off-scales, such as supplements or other off-scales with special conditions (UCDEC9/UCHD91, UCOFF2/UCHSO2 and UCOFF3/UCHSO3). If the off-scale is not rounded to the nearest $100, round the total dollar figure to the nearest $100, per APM 620.
All the salaries in these examples were from the 10/1/2019 salary tables. Please be sure to use the current salary scales.
Example 1 (1.5-step merit that crosses first above scale): Professor Johnson is an academic-year Professor at Step 9 with an off-scale of $28,000 (UCOFF1). He received a one-and-one-half-step merit under the Step Plus System.
(A) $175,800 (Step 9) / $162,200 (Step 8) = 1.084 (rounded to the third decimal place)
(B) $175,800 * 1.084 = $190,567.20
(C) $190,600
(D) $190,600 * 1.025 = $195,365
(E) $195,400
(F) $195,400 + $28,000 (UCOFF1) = $223,400 (UCABVE)
Example 2 (2.0-step merit that crosses first above scale): Professor Berquist is an academic-year Professor at Step 9 with an off-scale of $35,000 (UCOFF1). She received a two-step merit under the Step Plus System.
(A) $175,800 (Step 9) / $162,200 (Step 8) = 1.084 (rounded to the third decimal place)
(B) $175,800 * 1.084 = $190,567.20
(C) $190,600
(D) $190,600 * 1.05 = $200,130
(E) $200,100
(F) $200,100 + $35,000 (UCOFF1) = $235,100 (UCABVE)
Example 3 (2.0-step merit that crosses first above scale): Professor Smith is an academic-year Professor at Step 8.5 with an off-scale of $30,000 (UCOFF1). She received a two-step merit under the Step Plus System.
(A) $175,800 (Step 9) / $162,200 (Step 8) = 1.084 (rounded to the third decimal place)
(B) $175,800 * 1.084 = $190,567.20
(C) $190,600
(D) $190,600 * 1.025 = $195,365
(E) $195,400
(F) $195,400 + $30,000 (UCOFF1) = $225,400 (UCABVE)
Calculating First Above Scale merit salaries in the Step Plus System for Health Sciences Compensation Plan
We provide the first Above Scale salary in each of the Step Plus System Salary Tables. The calculation for the first above scale salary is:
(A) Take Table 5-0 Step 9 divided by Table 5-0 Step 8. Round this figure to the third decimal point (using the fourth decimal to determine if the third is rounded up or stays the same).
(B) Take Table 5-0 Step 9 base multiplied by the result of step A
(C) Round this dollar figure to the nearest $100.
(D) Multiply the result of step C by the appropriate scale differential.
(E) Round this dollar figure to the nearest $100 (note: this dollar figure is included in the footnotes of the salary table), per APM 600-18 b.
(F) If applicable, add the off-scale (UCOFF1/UCHSO1) to the result in step C to get the new above scale base salary (UCABVE). Do not add to the new base salary any temporary off-scales, such as supplements or other off-scales with special conditions (UCDEC9/UCHD91, UCOFF2/UCHSO2, and UCOFF3/UCHSO3). If the off-scale is not rounded to the nearest $100, round the total dollar figure to the nearest $100 per APM 620-4.
If the candidate is to be considered for a merit increase that crosses the First Above Scale, multiply the results of step E by the standard further above scale percentage (2.5% for each half-step beyond the first above scale, see step F below):
(A) Take Table 5-0 Step 9 divided by Table 5-0 Step 8. Round this figure to the third decimal point (using the fourth decimal to determine if the third is rounded up or stays the same).
(B) Take Table 5-0 Step 9 base multiplied by the result of step A
(C) Round this dollar figure to the nearest $100.
(D) Multiply the result of step C by the appropriate scale differential.
(E) Round this dollar figure to the nearest $100 (note: this dollar figure is included in the footnotes of the salary table)
(F) For each an additional half-step, multiply the result of step C by the appropriate percentage:
- Additional half-step multiply by 1.025
- Additional whole-step multiply by 1.05
- Additional one-and-one-half-step multiply by 1.075
(G) Round this dollar figure to the nearest $100, per APM 600-18 b.
(H) If applicable, add the off-scale (UCOFF1/UCHSO1) to the result in step C to get the new above scale base salary (UCABVE). Do not add to the new base salary any temporary off-scales, such as supplements or other off-scales with special conditions (UCDEC9/UCHD91, UCOFF2/UCHSO2, and UCOFF3/UCHSO3). If the off-scale is not rounded to the nearest $100, round the total dollar figure to the nearest $100 per APM 620-4.
All the salaries in these examples were from the 10/1/22 salary tables. Please be sure to use the current salary scales.
Example 1 (1.5-step merit that crosses first above scale): Professor Stone is a Professor - Health Sciences Compensation Plan at Step 9 on APU 3. She received a one-and-one-half-step merit under the Step Plus System.
(A) $218,500 (Table 5-0 Step 9)/$201,600 (Table 5-0 Step 8) = 1.084 (rounded to the third decimal)
(B) $218,500 * 1.084 = $236,854
(C) $236,900
(D) $236,900 * 1.3 = $307,970
(E) $308,000
(F) $308,000 * 1.025 = $315,700
(G) $315,700
Example 2 (1.5-step merit that crosses the first above scale): Professor Vance is a Professor – Health Sciences Compensation Plan at Step 9.5 on APU 6. He received a one-and-one-half-step merit under the Step Plus System.
(A) $218,500 (Table 5-0 Step 9)/$201,600 (Table 5-0 Step 8) = 1.084 (rounded to the third decimal)
(B) $218,500 * 1.084 = $236,854
(C) $236,900
(D) $236,000 * 1.65 = $390,885
(E) $390,900
(F) $390,900 * 1.05 = $410,445
(G) $410,400
Example 3 (2.0-step merit that crosses the first above scale): Professor Bahl is a Professor – Health Sciences Compensation Plan at Step 8.5 on APU 1. She received a two-step merit under the Step Plus System.
(A) $218,500 (Table 5-0 Step 9)/$201,600 (Table 5-0 Step 8) = 1.084 (rounded to the third decimal)
(B) $218,500 * 1.084 = $236,854
(C) $236,900
(D) $236,000 * 1.1 = $260,590
(E) $260,600
(F) $260,600 * 1.025 = $267,115
(G) $267,100
Calculating Further Above Scale merit salaries in the Step Plus System*
Candidates who are above scale may be considered for a merit every four years and will be considered for a greater than one-step increase. Once a candidate has advanced to Above Scale, all future merit advancements receive a 5% salary increase or greater. Each half-step is equal to an additional 2.5% increase. For example:
- A one-step merit is equal to a 5% increase.
- A one-and-one-half-step merit is equal to a 7.5% increase.
- A two-step merit is equal to a 10% increase.
*Also applies to those in the Health Sciences Compensation Plan
Reminder: Order of Merits/Promotions and Range Adjustments
Reminder: Calculate Merit/promotion advancements prior to applying the range adjustment. Make advancement calculations on the salary scale prior to the range adjustment and then apply the range adjustment rules to the new salary.
For example, calculate the salary based on the merit decision using the most recent salary tables (7/1/2019, 10/1/2019 or 1/1/2020 salary scales) before applying any possible 7/1/2020 range adjustment.