What term describes the vertical columns within a salary structure?

The term that accurately describes the vertical columns within a salary structure is "grades." Grades typically represent different levels of compensation within an organization, where each grade has defined salary ranges for the positions that fall under that category. This structure helps organizations maintain internal equity by ensuring that employees in similar roles or levels of responsibility receive comparable pay.

For instance, in many organizations, each grade corresponds to specific job competencies, responsibilities, and market benchmarks, making it easier to position roles within the corporate hierarchy. Grades assist in establishing a clear progression path for employees, allowing them to understand potential salary increases as they advance within the organization.

The other options might refer to related concepts, but they do not specifically describe the vertical columns within a salary structure in the same standardized way as grades.