What it is
Bands set where a level is priced, and the midpoint drives most increases. Pay transparency laws in several states require posting a range for the job in listings, and the federal pay data reporting has added band reporting for large employers.
What to do about it: A raise request quoted against the band midpoint and the level mapping is a data argument, not a preference. Ask for the band and the level in writing.
Plain-language description of US practice, not legal, tax, or financial advice. The paired guide carries the citations, dates, and thresholds; the state pages carry the local windows.