Subject to appropriation, the director of the division of personnel shall conduct a survey, at least every five years, to review the geographic pay differentials under AS 39.27.020. The survey may address factors the director determines are relevant to review state salary schedules, entitlements for beneficiaries of state programs, and payments for state service providers. The survey must reflect the cost of living for duty stations in the state or outside of the state by using the cost of living in Anchorage, Alaska, as a base.