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Useful information
Ever wondered if your salary matches your experience and achievements? Or how your pay compares with others in your field? Maybe you're negotiating an offer and want to know your real worth. Good news: the answer is easier to find than you think.
A handful of sites will get you most of the way there:
Check more than one, since each pulls from different data and no single site tells the full story. It's easy to fixate on the numbers, but they're just a starting point. Use them to build a realistic picture of what you should be earning.
To see how your specific role and location actually pay, based on real placements across your industry and location, not just self-reported figures, use our salary guides as you narrow things down. It's built from data we see every day.
Think about the education or certifications your role needs. If you have a master's degree, factor that in. It shows academic knowledge on top of your experience, and it should shape both the jobs you target and the salary you ask for.
An average salary isn't always the right number for you. If you're a recent grad, new to the workforce, or switching industries, expect to start at or below average. If you're an experienced professional, you can reasonably expect at or above average. Research the average for your specific role, and you'll be in a stronger position to negotiate a fair salary based on your skills and experience.
Check where those averages come from. Salaries for roles in a suburban or rural area can be significantly lower than in a big city, so factor in taxes, cost of living, and other expenses tied to that specific location.
The same job title can pay very differently depending on where you sit. A role at a large enterprise often comes with a different pay structure than the same title at a startup. And industries like finance or tech tend to pay more than nonprofit or education for comparable work. When you're comparing your salary to an average, make sure you're working with similar company sizes and industries, not just similar job titles.
Once you have a data-backed number or range, use it in compensation conversations, whether that's asking for a raise, countering an offer, or setting expectations in a first interview. Lead with the range you've found, back it up with your experience, and be specific about what you bring to the role.
For a closer look at how to approach salary discussions, check out our salary negotiation tips.
Salary benchmarks shift every year, and so does your earning potential. Make it a habit to run the numbers again before a performance review, before you start job hunting, and any time your responsibilities grow. What was a fair salary two years ago might be under market today.
Do your research, know your worth, and go into your next conversation ready. View our open jobs to get started.
Michael Page Is One of the leading recruitment firms in the U.S. Specializing in Recruiting Roles Across a Variety of Sectors for Over 40 Years. With Offices Across the US, Our Consultants Are Experts in Their Field of Work, Providing Organizations ...
