Columbus council adopts ordinance requiring salary ranges in job postings

Columbus City Council voted to adopt ordinance 28-98, an amendment to chapter 23.35 of the Columbus City Code requiring employers within the city limits to include reasonable salary ranges on job postings.

Sponsor Council member Barossa de Padilla framed the measure as the next step following a 2023 law that banned asking applicants about salary history. She said pay-transparency helps narrow wage gaps and gives job seekers and employers clearer expectations.

Barb Smoot, president and CEO of Women for Economic Leadership and Development (WELD), testified in favor and described the legislation as a systemic approach to closing pay disparities. Smoot cited testimony from local advocates and research presented at a prior hearing and argued that inclusion of ranges increases applicant response and improves hiring efficiency.

Council members praised the coalition of local organizations involved in drafting the amendment and the sponsor moved the ordinance to passage; the clerk recorded a roll call and the president announced the measure passed. Supporters said the change will improve fairness in hiring, though members acknowledged it is not a complete solution to broader pay inequities.

Next steps: the ordinance replaces existing code language; enforcement and details about compliance were not expanded in this hearing and will be handled through implementation guidance and follow-up with city staff.