Columbus, OH: New Pay Transparency Requirements Coming
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APPLIES TO Employers with 15+ Employees in Columbus, OH |
EFFECTIVE December 5, 2025 |
QUESTIONS? Contact HR On-Call |
Quick Look
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Discussion
Columbus Ordinance No. 2898-2025 will implement new pay transparency requirements for employers as of December 5, 2025, but enforcement will be delayed until January 1, 2027. Specifically, employers must include a reasonable salary range or scale in job postings.
“Employment posting” includes any written or electronic posting intended to recruit applications for a specific available position that includes a description of the position and/or qualifications of desired applications. Importantly, this does not include job postings that are duplicated and published without an employer’s consent. It also does not apply to job postings for internal transfer or promotion within an organization.
The salary range means “financial compensation in exchange for labor,” which includes things like wages, commissions, hourly earnings, and other monetary earnings. The reasonableness of the salary range must be based on factors specific to the position, such as: the flexibility of the employer’s budget; the anticipated range of experience job applicants may have; the potential variation in the responsibilities of the position; the opportunities for growth in and beyond the position; the cost of living for the various locations in which an applicant may work; and market research on comparable positions and salaries.
Job applicants may file complaints alleging violations of the ordinance with the Columbus Community Relations Commission, which may issue civil penalties and order other remedies. Although the Ordinance will not be enforced for a year, employers are encouraged to begin preparing for compliance.
Action Items
- Update job descriptions.
- Conduct an equal pay audit.
- Implement wage ranges for appropriate positions.
- Update job posting procedures.
- Have appropriate personnel trained on the requirements.
Disclaimer: This document is designed to provide general information and guidance concerning employment-related issues. It is presented with the understanding that ManagEase is not engaged in rendering any legal opinions. If a legal opinion is needed, please contact the services of your own legal adviser. © 2025 ManagEase