Job Classification and Compensation

Compensation Plan Administration

Annual Appropriation Ordinance    

Regulations governing the administration of the compensation plan and employee benefits for classified positions.

The City of Chicago’s Salary Ordinance is officially referred to as the “Regulations Governing the Administration of the Classification Plan and Employee Benefits for Classified Positions Set Forth In the Annual Appropriation Ordinance”. These regulations contain provisions governing compensation administration and benefits for all city positions.

The salary ordinance contains information regarding the application and interpretation of the compensation plans including advancement within the salary ranges following appointment, promotion and reclassification and compensation rules regarding prevailing rate (PR) positions. The ordinance also details employee benefits including health, dental and optical insurance, term life insurance coverage and deferred compensation. Additionally, the salary ordinance contains rules regarding automobile allowance or mileage reimbursement, designation of holiday, vacation and sick leave, jury duty and other leaves of absence.

 View the ordinance in detail by clicking on the attachment.

Municipal Pay Schedules   

The City of Chicago’s Classification and Pay Plan contains the city’s eighteen salary schedules. Each salary schedule (except the salary schedule for physicians and dentists) includes a range of pay for each class grade consisting of entrance, intermediate and longevity pay rates. Employees progress through the successive steps of the pay plans by fulfilling specified time requirements and demonstrating satisfactory work performance during this time.

• Download the Classification and Pay Plan - Salary Resolutions
• View the Municipal Pay Schedule

Job Specifications

• Download the Job Classification Series List
• View the Job Classification Alphabetical List

Administrative Service   

Positions are principally administrative, clerical, or fiscal in character.  

Clerical, Accounting and General Office Group

Positions are principally administrative, clerical, or fiscal in character. 

Positions involve auditing, accounting, general administrative, information technology, machine operations, secretarial, library science or any kind of clerical office work.

Statistical, Technical and Analytical Group

Positions involve examining, investigating, analyzing, purchasing, planning, budgeting, legal, personnel, statistical, and real estate activities.

Health and Welfare Service    

Positions relate to public health and welfare activities.

Inspectional Group

Positions perform inspectional activities in the areas of health, environment, sanitation, buildings and consumer protection in compliance with city codes and ordinances.

Medical and Social Service Group

 Positions require training and ability in respective branches of medicine, dentistry, laboratory science and the social services.

Operation and Construction Service    

Positions relate to the operation and maintenance of municipal facilities and the construction and rehabilitation of municipal works projects.

Building Maintenance and Operation Group

Positions require practical skill in the building and construction trades.

Electrical and Mechanical Group

Positions require knowledge and skill in the operation, maintenance and repair of electrical or mechanical equipment.

Engineering, Designing and Structural Group

Positions require training and ability in architecture, engineering, drafting or related technical work.

Industrial Trades Group

Positions require skill in industrial trades or crafts.

River, Harbor and Transportation Group

Positions relate to river, bridge, parking and airport operations and the transportation of materials and passengers.

Steam and Operation Engineering Group

Positions require training and ability in the operation and maintenance of equipment for plant operations.

Forestry and Parkways Group

Positions plant and trim trees on the city's parkways.

Street, Water, Sewer and Disposal Group

Positions involve laying and repairing sidewalks; paving, repairing and cleaning streets; maintaining and extending sewer and water systems; collecting and disposing of garbage and waste; and performing related inspectional activities.

Public Safety Service    

Positions perform public safety activities for the City's Police and Fire Departments, and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications.

Fire Service Group

Uniformed positions are in the active ranks of the Fire Department and work is directly related to the performance of fire and emergency medical service duties. Civilian positions perform 9-1-1 police and fire emergency communications work.

Police Service Group

Sworn positions are in the active ranks of the Police Department and work is directly related to the performance of police duties. Civilian positions perform work supporting law enforcement activities.

Board of Election Commissioners Group

The Board of Election Commissioners conducts and supervises elections for the City of Chicago.

Labor Service    

Positions perform primarily manual labor.

Positions involve unskilled or semi-skilled labor requiring limited training or experience.

Exempt Service    

Positions are exempted from the Career Service.