I think a lot of people worry about these pay scales being limiting. In the US, they tend to end up being based on years of service or credentials, rather than about productivity or quality.
In Netherland they tend to be based on your function, and within that function, how well you perform it. Companies tend to want the best people in the most important functions. If you think you're performing the function of a higher paid role, that's a good argument to ask for a raise. Or a promotion.
