Range Penetration Calculator
Range penetration shows how far through a pay range a salary sits — 0% at the minimum, 50% at the midpoint, and 100% at the maximum. It is a quick way to see whether someone is positioned early or late in their range.
About Range Penetration
Range penetration measures how far a salary has penetrated a grade salary range, using the grade minimum and maximum.
It helps track progressive salary movement for individuals within defined pay bands.
Enter Salary Data
Indicative only. For pay decisions that matter, our consultants provide the full methodology and market data.
How to calculate range penetration
- 1Subtract the range minimum from the employee's salary.
- 2Subtract the range minimum from the range maximum to get the range spread.
- 3Divide the first figure by the spread and multiply by 100 to get the penetration percentage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is range penetration?
Range penetration shows how far a salary has progressed through its pay range — 0% at the minimum, 50% at the midpoint and 100% at the maximum.
What is a healthy range penetration?
New or developing employees typically sit in the lower third (0–33%), fully competent employees around the middle (33–66%), and highly experienced top performers in the upper third (66–100%).
How is range penetration different from compa-ratio?
Range penetration measures position between the minimum and maximum, while compa-ratio measures pay relative to the midpoint. They answer related but different questions.