Local Government Pay Equity

Pay Equity is a method of eliminating discrimination against women who are paid less than men for jobs requiring comparable levels of expertise. This goes beyond the familiar idea of equal pay for equal work where men and women with the same jobs must be paid equally. A policy to establish pay equity usually means: 1) that all jobs will be evaluated and given points according to the level of knowledge and responsibility required to do the job; and 2) that salary adjustments will be made if it is discovered that women are consistently paid less then men for jobs with similar points. The following example shows a typical gender-based wage disparity.

Every political subdivision is required to use a job evaluation system to determine the comparable work value of the work performed by each class of its employees. Once established job points generally do not change unless a new evaluation system is adopted. You may choose to create your own internal job evaluation system, use a consultant's system, or use the State Job Match System. Your jurisdiction is responsible for making final decisions about which job evaluation system to use. For more information refer to the resources below:

• Job Evaluation
• Minnesota Statue 471.994  - Requires each political subdivision to meet and have discussions with the exclusive representatives of their employees on the development or selection of a job evaluation system.
• State Job Match Evaluation System

This includes information about your jurisdiction's jobs such as job title, job points, number of employees (male, female, nonbinary), minimum and maximum salary, years of service or years to max. Use the spreadsheet below to enter your data and upload into the pay equity system. 

• Pay Equity Spreadsheet - Upload Data

All reports must be submitted electronically using the Minnesota Pay Equity Management System. For step by step instructions on how to submit your report please refer to the Instructions for submitting a local government pay equity report.

Please note: You must get approval from your governing body (city council, school board, township, etc.) prior to submitting the pay equity report.

The resource below can help you  in understanding your jurisdiction's compliance results. Please remember that MMB will make the final decision about your jurisdiction's compliance.

Interpret Results - (Information to determine if report is in compliance)

After submitting the report print the notice, complete the required fields and post the official notice in a shared work location such as city hall, town hall or employee breakroom for a period of 90 days from the date the report was submitted. This notice must also be provided to all union representatives.

• Notice to Post-Pay Equity Report Has Been Submitted