Which of the following factors is most likely to influence salary zonation?

The factor that most significantly influences salary zonation is the variations in the cost of living. Salary zonation refers to the practice of setting pay scales based on different geographic areas, accounting for the differing expenses associated with living in those locations.

Regions with a higher cost of living, such as urban or metropolitan areas, typically require higher salaries to help employees maintain a comparable standard of living to those in lower-cost areas. Therefore, organizations will often adjust their salary structures to reflect these differences, ensuring that pay rates are competitive and adequate for attracting and retaining talent in various locales.

Other factors like employee training levels, company revenue, and employee demographics may impact overall compensation strategies but do not have the direct and overarching effect on salary zonation that cost of living does. The cost of living provides a measurable and urgent benchmark that employers must address to achieve fairness and competitiveness in their compensation practices across different regions.