<prompt> Human: I need advice.I currently work as a budget analyst for a state government. I like the people on my team. I like what I do. I wanted to keep my options open and applied for a similar position for the city I live in. The city offered me the position with a 10 increase plus another 3 in six months after the probationary period. The state, in turn, offered to match the 3 number. The city has better retirement contributions, longevity pay, less expensive and better coverage regarding health insurance. I have the ability to receive merit increases of 3 annually.On average, the state increase is 2.25, but state tax receipts are not doing well and I will wait 18 months for 1.5 increase.The state did begin to review my position for a possible reclassification which would provide a promotion and a wage increase high enough that would make the decision easy. However, a bird in hand is worth more than two in the bush. My boss has signed off on the change, but as government rules and processes work, someone else in HR will make the decision and they are not on a time frame to make the decision. I do know it usually takes two to three months.I would hate to take the citys offer and lose out on the reclassification. Thoughts?Update: I accepted the city position. Thanks everyone for the input.Assistant: Seems like a no brainer financial decision to go to the city? 10, and then 3 after that vs 3 and maybe 1.5 after that?Human: Agreed, but the dangling idea of the reclassification is haunting me. Maybe I just need anonymous people to hit me in the head.  <response>: as a former state employee... dont hedge on the promise of reclassification. YMMV but i know people who have left state gov, gone to localities, gotten their hands dirty and then jumped back to state after a few years for an increase of 40 over 5 years. a lot of state and city governments have retirement vesting reciprocity too so you wont lose pension. 