(a) Unless otherwise fixed by law, the salaries of appointed department heads or those otherwise considered members of the Governor’s cabinet, the salaries of the appointed assistant department heads or those otherwise considered as the Governor’s assistant cabinet members, and the salaries of other officers and employees appointed in the exempt service and the executive assistants in the Governor’s office shall be fixed by the Governor in accordance with the recommendations by the State Personnel Board of appropriate pay ranges within the state pay plan.
(b) Where some authority other than the Governor appoints such an officer or employee, the salary shall be fixed by the appointing authority with the approval of the Governor and the State Personnel Board.
(c) In fixing such salaries, the Governor or other appointing authority shall give due consideration to the salaries of comparable positions in other states and in private industry in Alabama.