CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to City employment, commonly referred to as the Pay Zone Ordinance; adjusting the pay zone structures for 2026 for the City’s discretionary pay programs; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
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WHEREAS, the Accountability Pay for Executives Program is set forth in Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Section 4.20.380, which provides for adjustments to the pay zones based on a biennial labor market analysis of selected benchmark titles as recommended by the Seattle Human Resources (SDHR) Director; and
WHEREAS, the Manager and Strategic Advisor Compensation Program is set forth in SMC Section 4.20.390, which provides for adjustments to the pay zones based on a biennial labor market analysis of selected benchmark titles as recommended by the SDHR Director; and
WHEREAS, the Electric Utility Executive Compensation Program is set forth in SMC Section 4.20.401, which provides for adjustments to the pay zones at least every two years as recommended by the SDHR Director; and
WHEREAS, the Information Technology Professional Compensation Program is set forth in SMC Section 4.20.430, which provides for adjustments to the pay zones based on a biennial labor market analysis of selected benchmark titles as recommended by the SDHR Director; and
WHEREAS, the Investments/Debt Director Compensation Program is set forth in SMC 4.20.450, which provides for adjustments to the pay band at least every two years as recommended by the SDHR Director; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 118851, Ordinance 119954, Ordinance 120119, Ordinance 120819, and Ordinance 126193 provide that the SDHR Director shall act on behalf of the Legislative Department’s appointing authority to recommend all future adjustments to pay bands in the Legislative Department Broadbands; and
WHEREAS, the Power Marketing Compensation Program was established by Ordinance 119351, which provides for adjustments to the pay band at least every two years as recommended by the SDHR Director; and
WHEREAS, the City Light General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Compensation Program was established by Ordinance 121176 and Ordinance 124507, which together provide for adjustments to the pay band at least every two years as recommended by the SDHR; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 121787 established the Mayoral Staff Assistant Discretionary Pay Program and provides for future adjustments to the pay zones to be consistent with cost-of-living adjustments awarded to non-represented City Step Pay Program titles; and
WHEREAS, the Assistant City Attorney Discretionary Pay Program was established by Ordinance 122007, which provides for adjustments to the pay band at least every two years as recommended by the SDHR Director; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Police Chief Compensation Program was established by Ordinance 124510, which provides for adjustments to the pay band at least every two years as recommended by the SDHR Director for approval by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the Magistrate Compensation Program was established by Ordinance 124586, which provides for adjustments to the pay band at least every two years as recommended by the SDHR Director; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Public Utilities General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Compensation Program was established by Ordinance 125164, which provides for adjustments to the pay band at least every two years as recommended by the SDHR Director; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Information Technology Chief Technology Officer Compensation Program was established by Ordinance 126029, which provides for adjustments to the pay band at least every two years as recommended by the SDHR Director; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Fire Chief Compensation Program was established by Ordinance 126513, which provides for adjustments to the pay band at least every two years as recommended by the SDHR Director for approval by the City Council; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Adjusting the pay zones in the Accountability Pay for Executives (APEX) Program. As recommended by the Seattle Human Resources Director, the pay zones in the APEX Program will be adjusted as shown below. The rates for 2026 shall be effective December 31, 2025.
|
APEX Titles |
2026 Pay Zone Rates |
|
Executive 1 |
$56.60 - $93.41 |
|
Executive 2 |
$66.88 - $110.35 |
|
Executive 3 |
$78.96 - $130.31 |
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Executive 4 |
$93.16 - $153.70 |
Section 2. Adjusting the pay zones in the Manager and Strategic Advisor Compensation Program. As recommended by the Seattle Human Resources Director, the pay zones in the Manager and Strategic Advisor Compensation Program will be adjusted as shown below. The adjustments to each pay zone shall encompass all occupational groups that constitute the class series. The rates for 2026 shall be effective December 31, 2025.
|
Manager Titles2026 Pay Zone Rates |
|
|
Manager 1 (all classes) |
$51.88 - $77.82 |
|
Manager 2 (all classes) |
$56.57 - $84.88 |
|
Manager 3 (all classes) |
$61.90 - $92.84 |
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|
|
|
Strategic Advisor Titles |
2026 Pay Zone Rates |
|
Strategic Advisor 1 (all classes) |
$51.88 - $77.82 |
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Strategic Advisor 2 (all classes) |
$56.57 - $84.88 |
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Strategic Advisor 3 (all classes) |
$61.90 - $92.84 |
Section 3. Adjusting the pay zones in the Electric Utility Executive (EUE) Compensation Program. As recommended by the Seattle Human Resources Director, the pay zones for titles in the EUE Compensation Program shall be adjusted as shown below. The rates for 2026 shall be effective December 31, 2025.
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EUE Titles2026 Pay Zone Rates |
|
|
Electric Utility Executive 1 |
$68.04 - $108.83 |
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Electric Utility Executive 2 |
$78.22 - $125.14 |
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Electric Utility Executive 3, Director |
$101.99 - $163.19 |
|
Electric Utility Executive 3, Officer |
$116.65 - $186.65 |
Section 4. Adjusting the pay zones in the Information Technology Professional (ITP) Compensation Pay Program. As recommended by the Seattle Human Resources Director, the pay zones in the ITP Compensation Program will be adjusted as shown below. The rates for 2026 shall be effective December 31, 2025.
|
ITP Titles2026 Pay Zone Rates |
|
|
Information Technology Professional A, Exempt (Non-represented) |
$62.26 - $93.41 |
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Information Technology Professional B (Non-Represented) |
$54.52 - $81.84 |
|
Information Technology C (Non-Represented) |
$47.69 - 71.53 |
Section 5. Adjusting the pay zones in the Investments/Debt Director Compensation Program. As recommended by the Seattle Human Resources Director, the pay zones for the following titles shall be adjusted as shown below. The rates for 2026 shall be effective December 31, 2025.
|
Investments/Debt Director Titles2026 Pay Zone Rates |
|
|
Investments/Debt Director |
$62.50 - $124.95 |
|
Assistant Investments/Debt Director |
$62.50 - $124.95 |
Section 6. Adjusting the pay zones in the Legislative Department and associated titles in the City Auditor’s Office. As recommended by the Seattle Human Resources Director, the pay zones for the following titles shall be adjusted as shown below. The rates for 2026 shall be effective December 31, 2025.
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Legislative Titles2026 Pay Zone Rates |
|
|
Executive Manager-Legislative |
$56.60 - $153.70 |
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Executive Manager-City Auditor |
$56.60 - $153.70 |
|
Hearing Examiner |
$65.00 - $149.38 |
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Hearing Examiner, Deputy |
$65.00 - $149.38 |
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Legislative Assistant |
$22.48 - $76.53 |
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Strategic Advisor-Audit |
$51.88 - $92.84 |
|
Strategic Advisor-Legislative |
$51.88 - $92.84 |
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Manager-Legislative |
$51.88 - $92.84 |
Section 7. Adjusting the pay zone for titles in the Power Marketing Compensation Program. As recommended by the Seattle Human Resources Director, the pay zones for the Power Marketing Compensation Program shall be as shown below. The rates for 2026 shall be effective December 31, 2025.
|
Power Marketer2026 Pay Zone Rates |
|
|
Power Marketer (non-represented) |
$60.36 - $105.03 |
Section 8. Adjusting the pay zone in the City Light General Manager and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Compensation Program. As recommended by the Seattle Human Resources Director, the pay zone for the City Light General Manager and CEO Compensation Program shall be as shown below. The rates for 2026 shall be effective December 31, 2025.
|
City Light General Manager & CEO2026 Pay Zone Rates |
|
|
City Light General Manager & CEO |
$162.94 - $260.73 |
Section 9. Adjusting the pay zones in the Executive Department - Mayor’s Office. As recommended by the Seattle Human Resources Director, the pay zones for the following titles shall be adjusted consistent with cost-of-living adjustments awarded to non-represented City Step Pay Program titles. The rates for 2026 shall be effective December 31, 2025.
|
Mayoral Staff Assistant Titles2026 Pay Zone Rates |
|
|
Mayoral Staff Assistant 1 |
$22.89 - $44.77 |
|
Mayoral Staff Assistant 2 |
$39.37 - $78.75 |
Section 10. Adjusting the pay zone in the Assistant City Attorney (ACA) Discretionary Pay Program. As recommended by the Seattle Human Resources Director, the pay zone for the Assistant City Attorney Compensation Program shall be adjusted as shown below. The rates for 2026 shall be effective December 31, 2025.
|
ACA Title2026 Pay Zone Rates |
|
|
City Attorney, Assistant |
$45.77 - $109.87 |
Section 11. Adjusting the pay zone in the Seattle Police Chief Compensation Program. As recommended by the Seattle Human Resources Director, the pay zone for the Seattle Police Chief Compensation Program shall be as shown below. The rates for 2026 shall be effective December 31, 2025.
|
Seattle Police Chief2026 Pay Zone Rates |
|
|
Seattle Police Chief |
$112.21 - $179.55 |
Section 12. Adjusting the pay zone in the Magistrate Compensation Program. As recommended by the Seattle Human Resources Director, the pay zone for the Magistrate Compensation Program shall be as shown below. The rates for 2026 shall be effective December 31, 2025.
|
Magistrate2026 Pay Zone Rates |
|
|
Magistrate |
$59.16 - $88.76 |
Section 13. Adjusting the pay zone in the Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) General Manager and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Compensation Program. As recommended by the Seattle Human Resources Director, the pay zone for the SPU General Manager and CEO Compensation Program shall be as shown below. The rates for 2026 shall be effective December 31, 2025.
|
SPU General Manager & CEO2026 Pay Zone Rates |
|
|
SPU General Manager & CEO |
$136.59 - $218.54 |
Section 14. Adjusting the pay zone in the Chief Technology Officer Compensation Program. As recommended by the Seattle Human Resources Director, the pay zone for the Chief Technology Officer shall be as shown below. The rates for 2025 shall be effective December 31, 2025.
|
Chief Technology Officer2026 Pay Zone Rates |
|
|
Chief Technology Officer |
$103.78 - $171.23 |
Section 15. Adjusting the pay zone in the Seattle Fire Chief Compensation Program. As recommended by the Seattle Human Resources Director, the pay zone for the Seattle Fire Chief Compensation Program shall be as shown below. The rates for 2026 shall be effective December 31, 2025.
|
Seattle Fire Chief2026 Pay Zone Rates |
|
|
Seattle Fire Chief |
$112.21 - $179.55 |
Section 16. Any act consistent with the authority of this ordinance taken prior to its effective date is ratified and confirmed.
Section 17. This ordinance shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Sections 1.04.020 and 1.04.070.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2025, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this ________ day of _________________________, 2025.
____________________________________
President ____________ of the City Council
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Approved / |
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returned unsigned / |
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vetoed this _____ day of _________________, 2025. |
____________________________________
Bruce A. Harrell, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2025.
____________________________________
Scheereen Dedman, City Clerk
(Seal)