Compensation & Total Rewards
A strong compensation and total rewards strategy is the foundation of a fair, competitive, and sustainable workforce. We help organizations modernize pay and benefits systems, address equity and compliance risks, and design compensation structures that support recruitment, retention, and long-term financial health.
Fair Pay. Clear Systems. Confident Decisions.
EXMI provides data-driven compensation and total rewards consulting services that help organizations ensure market competitiveness, internal equity, regulatory compliance, and fiscal sustainability. Our work supports informed decision-making for leadership teams, boards, and bargaining units across public, nonprofit, and mission-driven organizations.
The Challenge
Compensation and benefits decisions are among the most complex—and most scrutinized—decisions organizations face. Labor markets are tightening. Pay transparency expectations are increasing. Equity concerns are rising. Budgets are constrained. Many organizations are relying on outdated salary structures, inconsistent classifications, or incomplete market data. Leaders are asked to make high-stakes compensation decisions without clear benchmarking, equity analysis, or cost modeling—creating risk related to recruitment, retention, compliance, employee trust, and long-term sustainability.
Compensation and benefits decisions are among the most complex—and most scrutinized—decisions organizations face. Labor markets are tightening. Pay transparency expectations are increasing. Equity concerns are rising. Budgets are constrained. Many organizations are relying on outdated salary structures, inconsistent classifications, or incomplete market data. Leaders are asked to make high-stakes compensation decisions without clear benchmarking, equity analysis, or cost modeling—creating risk related to recruitment, retention, compliance, employee trust, and long-term sustainability.
"Better pay and benefits have risen to become a top reason candidates change jobs, increasing from 41% pre‑pandemic to 54% today"
- Gallup Research, February 2025
Explore Our Compensation & Total Rewards Services
Compensation Market Benchmarking & Total Compensation Studies
EXMI conducts comprehensive compensation and total compensation studies using national, regional, and industry-specific data sources to assess external competitiveness and internal alignment.
Example deliverables: Compensation Market Study Report, Total Compensation Study, Market Pricing Analysis, Peer Organization Benchmarking, Salary Survey Results & Comparables, Market Competitiveness Summary, Recommendations Report for Pay Adjustments, Hourly Staff Compensation Studies, Executive Staff Compensation Studies, Leadership Compensation Studies, Teacher Salary Schedule Studies
EXMI conducts comprehensive compensation and total compensation studies using national, regional, and industry-specific data sources to assess external competitiveness and internal alignment.
Example deliverables: Compensation Market Study Report, Total Compensation Study, Market Pricing Analysis, Peer Organization Benchmarking, Salary Survey Results & Comparables, Market Competitiveness Summary, Recommendations Report for Pay Adjustments, Hourly Staff Compensation Studies, Executive Staff Compensation Studies, Leadership Compensation Studies, Teacher Salary Schedule Studies
Compensation Strategy & Program Design
EXMI helps organizations align compensation programs with strategic goals, workforce needs, and governance expectations.EXMI prepares organizations for leadership continuity through succession planning, competency modeling, and talent pipelines.
Example deliverables: Compensation Philosophy Statement, Compensation Strategy Framework, Compensation Policy Review or Development, Executive & Leadership Compensation Analysis, Incentive or Performance-Based Pay Models, Geographic Pay Differential Analysis
EXMI helps organizations align compensation programs with strategic goals, workforce needs, and governance expectations.EXMI prepares organizations for leadership continuity through succession planning, competency modeling, and talent pipelines.
Example deliverables: Compensation Philosophy Statement, Compensation Strategy Framework, Compensation Policy Review or Development, Executive & Leadership Compensation Analysis, Incentive or Performance-Based Pay Models, Geographic Pay Differential Analysis
Pay Equity & Internal Equity Analysis
We analyze compensation practices to identify disparities by role, tenure, classification, and demographic factors, supporting compliance with equal pay laws and equity goals.
Example deliverables: Pay Equity Analysis Report, Internal Equity Audit, Pay Gap Identification & Analysis, Adjustment Scenarios & Cost Impact, Compliance Documentation for Board or Public Review
We analyze compensation practices to identify disparities by role, tenure, classification, and demographic factors, supporting compliance with equal pay laws and equity goals.
Example deliverables: Pay Equity Analysis Report, Internal Equity Audit, Pay Gap Identification & Analysis, Adjustment Scenarios & Cost Impact, Compliance Documentation for Board or Public Review
Salary Structure & Pay Band Design
EXMI designs salary structures that balance market competitiveness, internal equity, and fiscal sustainability.
Example deliverables: Salary Range & Pay Band Structures, Broadbanding or Grade Structures, Range Penetration & Compa-Ratio Analysis, Step Schedule Review or Redesign, Salary Placement & Progression Guidelines
EXMI designs salary structures that balance market competitiveness, internal equity, and fiscal sustainability.
Example deliverables: Salary Range & Pay Band Structures, Broadbanding or Grade Structures, Range Penetration & Compa-Ratio Analysis, Step Schedule Review or Redesign, Salary Placement & Progression Guidelines
Job Classification, Evaluation & Job Architecture
We support organizations in developing consistent job classification systems that clarify roles, responsibilities, and career progression while supporting equitable pay decisions.
Example deliverables: Classification & Compensation Study, Job Evaluation Methodology (Point-Factor, Market-Based, Hybrid), Job Architecture Framework, Job Leveling & Career Ladders, Updated Job Descriptions & Specifications
We support organizations in developing consistent job classification systems that clarify roles, responsibilities, and career progression while supporting equitable pay decisions.
Example deliverables: Classification & Compensation Study, Job Evaluation Methodology (Point-Factor, Market-Based, Hybrid), Job Architecture Framework, Job Leveling & Career Ladders, Updated Job Descriptions & Specifications
Benefits & Total Rewards Strategy
EXMI evaluates and designs holistic total rewards strategies that integrate compensation, benefits, wellness, and development.
Example deliverables: Total Rewards Strategy Review, Rewards Staff Surveys, Benefits Program Analysis, Health, Retirement & Wellness Benchmarking, Total Rewards Assessment Survey, Recommendations for Benefits Optimization
EXMI evaluates and designs holistic total rewards strategies that integrate compensation, benefits, wellness, and development.
Example deliverables: Total Rewards Strategy Review, Rewards Staff Surveys, Benefits Program Analysis, Health, Retirement & Wellness Benchmarking, Total Rewards Assessment Survey, Recommendations for Benefits Optimization
Cost Modeling, Forecasting & Financial Impact Analysis
We model the fiscal impact of compensation decisions to support informed leadership and board decision-making.
Example deliverables: Compensation Cost Models, Budget Impact & Scenario Analysis, Multi-Year Compensation Forecast, Sustainability & Affordability Analysis, Board-Ready Financial Summaries
We model the fiscal impact of compensation decisions to support informed leadership and board decision-making.
Example deliverables: Compensation Cost Models, Budget Impact & Scenario Analysis, Multi-Year Compensation Forecast, Sustainability & Affordability Analysis, Board-Ready Financial Summaries
Labor Relations & Collective Bargaining Support
We provide data-driven insights to support negotiations, contract discussions, and labor-management collaboration.
Example deliverables: Compensation Data for Bargaining, Market & Equity Comparisons, Costing Models for Contract Proposals, Scenario Analysis for Negotiation Options, Expert Opinion Reports, Expert
We provide data-driven insights to support negotiations, contract discussions, and labor-management collaboration.
Example deliverables: Compensation Data for Bargaining, Market & Equity Comparisons, Costing Models for Contract Proposals, Scenario Analysis for Negotiation Options, Expert Opinion Reports, Expert
Total Rewards Analytics, Reporting & Communication
EXMI helps organizations communicate compensation and benefits clearly and transparently to employees and stakeholders.
Example deliverables: Total Rewards Statements, Compensation & Benefits Dashboards, Executive and Board Presentations, Employee Communication Toolkits, Public-Facing Summary Reports
EXMI helps organizations communicate compensation and benefits clearly and transparently to employees and stakeholders.
Example deliverables: Total Rewards Statements, Compensation & Benefits Dashboards, Executive and Board Presentations, Employee Communication Toolkits, Public-Facing Summary Reports
Implementation Planning & Change Support
We support organizations beyond analysis—ensuring recommendations are implemented effectively and understood.
Example deliverables: Implementation Roadmap, Phased Rollout Plan, Stakeholder Engagement Strategy, Manager & Employee Training Materials, Compensation Communication Plan
We support organizations beyond analysis—ensuring recommendations are implemented effectively and understood.
Example deliverables: Implementation Roadmap, Phased Rollout Plan, Stakeholder Engagement Strategy, Manager & Employee Training Materials, Compensation Communication Plan
We help organizations translate compensation strategy into systems that attract talent, drive trust, reward performance, and retain employees.
Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
Don't just take our word for it, see what the awesome people we work with have to say.
"EXMI quickly uncovered where inefficiencies were costing our district time, money, and talent. Their recommendations broadened our applicant pool, reduced time-to-hire, elevated our onboarding experience, and identified substantial cost-saving opportunities. Regardless of whether you have a dedicated HR team, an external audit of your practices can transform how your district attracts and retains great people."
Brian Murphy
Superintendent
Marion City Schools
Marion, Ohio
