Hi!
Looks like there is a serious compensation terminology gap that needs clarification in this site. Indeed, it's been sometime since I have seen many use the word "salary structure" to refer to "salary components", and others use the word "salary scale" to refer to the word 'salary structure".
I don't know if we are using different dictionaries and/ or different HR/ Compensation reference materials. I am also wondering if dictionaries have different meanings in each continent or country.
I think HR practitioners must learn to use compensation language when talking about compensation matters, so they can understand each other better. And, the good source for compensation terminologies are the international compensation consultants like HayGroup, Hewitt Associates, Watson Wyatt, and William Mercer. If you have read their regular annual compensation survey reports for each country, you will easily understand compensation language/ terminologies.
Just for the clarification of everyone, the following are the appropriate definitions of the terms mentioned above:
Salary Structure - refers to the designed "total salary range" of an organization that is composed of Job Grades or Bands, with each Job Grade having its own "internal range" called minimum, median, and maximum rates.
Salary component - refers to the "mix of a compensation package" that is normally offered to an employee during hiring. In compensation lingo, an employee salary is generally referred to as a mix of the "base salary" and "benefits". The base salary is what is generally referred to as the "basic pay" while the "base salary" plus "benefits" is generally referred to as the "Gross Pay". Hence, those who say that the salary is composed of base plus the cash and non cash benefits are actually referring to the "gross pay".
There is no such thing as "salary scale" in compensation terminology. It is only in this site that some HR practitioners try to use this term. According to Webster, a scale is "a measure characterized by marks along a line, with regular spaces in between, used for measuring." (e.g. thermometer).
I hope this clarifies things.
Wish you happiness and good health this 2010.
Ed Llarena, Jr.
Riyadh, KSA