Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.
Whether you’re negotiating with a new employer, getting ready to ask for a raise, or just curious about what others in your field are earning, having reliable salary data at your fingertips is essential.
To walk into salary discussions with confidence, check out these top salary websites and calculators that will help you research and compare salaries, along with key tips for salary research and answers to some commonly asked questions about the salary research process.
1. Buffer
Buffer provides transparent salary information, sharing salary formulas and pay scales openly for those wanting to understand how companies determine compensation, especially in remote and tech roles.
2. Built In
Built In provides detailed salary insights for tech roles across various cities. This site is used by job seekers in the tech industry looking to compare salaries and understand the nuances of pay in different geographic regions.
3. CareerOneStop
CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, provides a salary range calculator across states and industries. It’s designed to help professionals make informed, data-driven career decisions.
4. Comparably
Comparably provides detailed compensation data and salary comparisons, allowing users to see how they stack up against others in their field. It’s used by professionals in tech, sales, and marketing roles who want to ensure fair pay.
5. Educate To Career
Educate To Career is tailored to recent graduates and early-career professionals, offering a salary range calculator. It’s designed to help users understand how education and experience impact salaries over time.
6. Elpha
Elpha is a community platform that offers salary comparison tools specifically for women. It’s a resource for those seeking advice on pay negotiation and peer support.
7. Fishbowl
Fishbowl is used to anonymously discuss salaries and other career topics. It provides real-time insights into salary trends and what people in specific industries earn.
8. Glassdoor
Glassdoor provides salary data along with company reviews. It’s a resource for those wanting to explore various aspects of potential earnings and company environments.
9. H1Bdata
For those working in the U.S. on an H1B visa, H1Bdata provides detailed salary information based on publicly available data. It’s often used by international workers to ensure they’re paid fairly compared to others in similar roles.
10. Idealist
Idealist is tailored to professionals in the nonprofit sector, offering salary data specific to nonprofit roles. It’s a resource for anyone in this sector who wants to ensure that their pay is competitive.
11. Levels.fyi
Levels.fyi is a site that provides detailed information on job salaries and career levels across major tech companies. It’s particularly useful for tech professionals comparing pay structures across different organizations.
12. LinkedIn
LinkedIn’s salary tool offers insights into job salaries across various industries and locations for those using their network to understand salary ranges in their field.
13. O*NET
O*NET provides comprehensive occupational data, including salary ranges across different industries. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, it’s a source for job seekers looking to make informed career decisions.
14. Omni Calculator
Omni Calculator offers various tools, including salary comparison calculators that estimate earnings potential, to explore salary scenarios based on experience and location.
15. Paylab
Paylab provides salary data across multiple countries, making it a resource for international job seekers and those considering job opportunities abroad who want to compare salaries across borders.
16. Payscale
Payscale is a well-known salary research website offering a detailed salary range calculator that considers location, experience, and industry for users looking to negotiate salary effectively.
17. RepVue
RepVue is focused on sales professionals, providing detailed salary comparisons and insights into how different companies pay their sales teams. It’s a resource for salespeople who want to ensure they’re being compensated fairly.
18. Robert Half
Robert Half offers a salary guide with up-to-date salary ranges for various industry roles, such as finance, accounting, human resources, technology, legal, marketing, health care, and administrative roles.
19. Salary.com
Salary.com is a comprehensive salary research website that offers detailed salary ranges and a salary range calculator. It’s a resource for anyone looking to get a clear picture of what they should be earning.
20. SalaryExpert
SalaryExpert, powered by the Economic Research Institute (ERI), provides global salary data and compensation information for those considering international jobs or wanting to compare salaries across different countries.
21. Salary Transparency Sheet
Salary Transparency Sheet (STS) is a crowdsourced document offering real-time salary data from various industries. It’s a resource for those who want to contribute to and benefit from community-driven salary transparency.
22. SHRM Compensation Data Center
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Compensation Data Center offers detailed salary information for HR professionals to keep them informed about industry pay standards.
23. Totaljobs
Totaljobs offers salary insights and comparisons for job seekers in the United Kingdom (U.K.). It’s particularly useful for those looking to compare salaries within the U.K. or between the U.K. and other countries.
24. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides extensive data on job salaries, employment trends, and more. It’s a resource for anyone looking to make data-driven decisions about their career.
25. Wellfound
Wellfound (formerly AngelList) is geared toward startup professionals, offering salary data and insights specific to the startup ecosystem. It’s a resource for those working in or considering a move to a startup.
6 Tips for Salary Research
When diving into salary research, having the right tools is only part of the process.
While the data you collect is incredibly useful, it’s how you use that information when it comes time to negotiate your salary that really counts. You need to interpret the data in light of your personal circumstances to boost your negotiating power.
To help make the most of your efforts, we’ve compiled these tips for researching salary.
1. Consider Your Location
Salary ranges can vary widely depending on where you’re located. When researching salaries, be sure to adjust the data to match your specific city or region. Use salary tools that let you filter by location to better understand what you can expect in your area.
For instance, if you’re in a field like health care and work in a city with a high cost of living, such as New York City or San Francisco, you can expect salaries to be on the higher side to match the local market rate.
On the flip side, if you’re in a rural area with fewer health care facilities, salaries might be lower due to reduced demand and lower living costs. This is also true for companies with multiple locations — salary offers can vary depending on where the job is based.
You’ll also want to consider the location of the company’s headquarters. If you’re interested in a company based overseas that offers remote work, you might see a lower salary compared to local standards.
However, perks like flexible work options or the chance to work from different locations could be attractive benefits. Weigh these factors carefully and use relevant data when negotiating your salary and benefits.
2. Account for Your Experience and Career Stage
Your level of experience and career stage are strong determining factors when it comes to your salary.
If you’re early in your career, you might find that wages are lower compared to more experienced roles, reflecting the entry-level nature of your position.
If you’re in a mid-career or senior role, salaries tend to be higher to match the increased responsibility and expertise you bring.
When reviewing salary data, consider where you stand in your career trajectory and how your experience level aligns with industry standards. Make sure the data you use reflects your experience level to ensure you’re setting realistic salary expectations.
3. Factor in Special Skills or Certifications
Specialized skills and certifications can significantly impact your earning potential. Advanced technical skills, industry-recognized certifications, or unique qualifications can justify a higher salary in many fields.
For example, if you’re in the finance industry and hold a certified public accountant (CPA) designation, you’re likely to earn more than someone without this certification.
When comparing salaries, look for data that reflects how specific skills and certifications affect pay. Many salary tools and websites provide insights into how these qualifications influence earnings.
Make sure to emphasize your specialized skills and certifications during salary negotiations — they can serve as a strong argument for a higher offer and demonstrate the additional value you bring to the role.
It’s also important to note that certifications from accredited institutions or recognized programs are generally more valuable and can significantly impact your salary.
Before pursuing a new certification or adding to your credentials, research which certifications are most respected and relevant in your field.
4. Understand the Company’s Pay Structure
When learning how to negotiate your salary, it’s important to understand that companies often have different pay structures and compensation philosophies that can affect your overall salary package.
Some organizations may offer a higher base salary but provide fewer bonuses, while others may have a lower base salary with the potential for bonuses or profit-sharing opportunities.
Understanding the specific pay structure of the company you’re interested in can give you better insight into how their compensation compares to others.
Research the company’s approach to salaries and bonuses to evaluate a job offer comprehensively.
If a company’s compensation package includes a lower base salary but higher bonus potential, consider how this aligns with your financial goals and preferences. This information will help you assess whether the offer meets your needs and enable you to negotiate terms that align with your salary requirements.
5. Research Job Descriptions and Competitors
Reviewing job descriptions and salary data from similar companies can give you a clearer picture of what’s standard in your field.
By comparing the duties and qualifications listed for a position with those required by similar roles at other companies, you can ensure your salary expectations are realistic.
This will also help you uncover potential red flags, like if a job description lists high-level responsibilities but the offered salary seems low.
Thankfully, many companies are transparent about salaries right from the job description. These companies often believe in pay transparency and want to attract candidates who are comfortable with the compensation offered.
If you’re applying to one of these companies, you’ll have a clear foundation for your negotiations.
6. Proactively Address Salary Discussions
If your salary research is part of a new job search process, being prepared to navigate salary discussions is crucial.
Are you wondering how and when to discuss salary in the interview process? Perhaps the salary is listed in the job description, but you’re unsure how much to ask for within that range.
It’s often beneficial to address salary expectations before reaching the negotiation stage.
For instance, if the salary isn’t mentioned in the job listing, you can politely ask, “Can you share the salary range budgeted for this role?” during an initial phone screen or early interview stage. This demonstrates your seriousness about the position and ensures that the salary aligns with your expectations before you invest more time in the process.
When it’s time to discuss salary expectations directly, come prepared with a well-researched range. Drawing on the data you’ve gathered from salary websites, you might say, “Based on my research and experience, I’m looking for a salary in the range of [$X to $Y], but I’m open to discussing this further based on the entire compensation package.”
This approach showcases your preparedness, flexibility, and understanding of your worth, setting a positive tone for further negotiations.
