Career ladders offer a structured pathway for employees to advance in their careers by meeting specific education, certification, and performance requirements. These programs help entry-level workers gain the skills needed to progress into intermediary and leadership roles within their organizations. By providing a clear progression path, career ladders enhance staff recruitment, development, and retention while improving wages and job satisfaction.

This article examines how public health leaders define and utilize career ladders, the facilitators and barriers to their use, as well as strategies to strengthen the use of career ladders in governmental public health.