Mayor Proposes Raises for City Employees Based on Compensation Study
In a move to make City of St. Louis salaries more competitive and attract and retain employees, Mayor Cara Spencer is following the recommendations of a new compensation and classification study and proposing increases to civil service position pay range minimums.
According to the study, the City of St. Louis currently falls behind the market in pay range minimums, but is more competitive at the higher ends of its pay ranges where the majority of City employees are. To address this issue, the proposal, based on recommendations from the study, would result in raises for approximately 600 non-uniformed civil service employees whose salaries are not within 5% of the market’s pay range minimum.
This aligns with the top priority expressed by City employees during the study: ensuring competitive compensation with the external market. Additionally, about 600 uniformed Fire Department employees would also see a positive adjustment to their pay matrix. However, the Police Department, currently under state control, would require a decision from the governor-appointed Board of Police Commissioners for a similar adjustment.
The compensation and classification study also confirmed that the City of St. Louis has struggled to attract and retain staff in key roles, such as utility workers, tree trimmers, and heavy equipment operators. Mayor Spencer has announced her support for this recommended action and is calling for the Department of Personnel to work with unions to reach an agreement for across-the-board raises for civil service employees.
According to Mayor Spencer, “City of St. Louis employees are driven by a desire to help their community, but that doesn’t mean the City shouldn’t pay them a salary that is good and attractive.” She believes that when employees can find better pay for similar work with other governments in the region, the City of St. Louis loses out on good talent, resulting in worsened services. Bringing pay ranges in line with the market is seen as the best solution for employees, the City, and all St. Louisans.
The Department of Personnel is aiming for a Feb. 1, 2026 implementation date for a new compensation ordinance. Union negotiations will begin soon, followed by recommendations to the Civil Service Commission and the Board of Aldermen. The City has allocated $10 million annually to implement improvements based on the compensation study.
“This proposal makes City of St. Louis salaries more competitive, which is crucial for delivering high-quality services,” said Mayor Spencer. “It is an ambitious yet fiscally responsible first step that we have the budget for, and the City and its employees will benefit from it.
