ERI_Logo 02122003  Assessor Series FAQ #20

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Frequently Asked Questions

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QUESTION: Do position descriptions include requirements for advanced degrees?  Do the salaries found in the Assessor Series® software and databases assume specific levels of education?  I know what to pay someone with 13 years of experience, but how would I take into account that the person has a PhD?

 

Educational degree "requirements" are normally not listed in the ERI position description for a number of reasons:

 

1.Most salary/wage surveys focus on the responsibilities of a position rather than on the degree or educational requirements for a position.
2.Salary administration practices differ among organizations. One organization may require a specific degree for a job while another will not. Some organizations will value any higher degree; others may only recognize degrees relating directly to bona fide occupational qualifications. Additionally, some organizations may waive education for experience.

 

However, you may find the eDOT® database of survey descriptions helpful to you.  The eDOT database contains pre-written job descriptions with illustrative statements which may be copied and used by a subscriber in the writing of job descriptions for their own organization.

 

In addition, the eDOT provides "enhanced worker characteristics" for each position, including Education Level.  Also, you may want to consider SVP and Mental Demands when trying to take into account the educational experience required by a position.  Please see the Occupational Assessor® (eDOT/eDOT+) for this information.

 

The SVP (Specific Vocational Preparation) information contained in the eDOT Descriptions was originally obtained by ERI from the US Department of Labor.  The SVP indicates the years of on-the-job experience, or education beyond high school, required for the position.  Generally speaking, when the position requires two or more years of SVP, then those years correspond to years of college education or the equivalent.

 

The Salary Assessor also includes the new Skills & Competencies (SCOs) tab.  Users may select from a list of available Selected Characteristics of Occupations, including Education Level Required, found below the graph.

 

SCO tab

 

Please see the related Assessor Series FAQ #25.