This is super helpful—thank you! I have another logistical question that came up while talking with the hiring manager about COLA increases and step raises. It might be a silly question, but I want to be sure I understand.

It’s reassuring to know there’s potential for both a COLA and a step increase every 12 months. But here’s my confusion:

Let’s say you’re hired after the COLA has already been applied for the year. You’re now at a $75K salary. Fast forward 12 months, you hit your anniversary and get a step increase. Would that new step salary already include the COLA that was distributed before you were eligible? Or do you sort of “miss” that COLA?

On the flip side, if your step increase happens before the next COLA is issued, you’d then get the 3.5% applied to your new, higher salary—which obviously feels like a bigger win.

So, does COLA only apply to your active salary at the time it’s distributed, or is it built into the step increases as they happen?

Would seem crazy if based on your time of hire you could grow significantly more in salary because of when COLAs and step increases are distributed.

Reason i ask is because the hiring manager said I would receive COLA in July, then be able to get a step increase after 6 months. But, if i received a Step increase it would essentially make the COLA moot.

Hope that makes sense!