25 Best Salary Websites and Calculators to Research Your Pay

Date:

Share post:


Pra Chid / Shutterstock.com

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

A woman reviews her bills online using a laptop
Prostock-studio / Shutterstock.com

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

Woman using a laptop in bed
Viktoriia Hnatiuk / Shutterstock.com

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

checking tax return status online
Pressmaster / Shutterstock.com

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

Woman using a laptop on her sofa and drinking coffee
Jacob Lund / Shutterstock.com

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

Smiling man laying on the couch with his dog while wearing headphones and shopping or playing a video game on his laptop.
Mariia Masich / Shutterstock.com

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

Businesswoman with laptop and calculator working in an office on financial estimates or tax returns
pattarawat / Shutterstock.com

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

Smiling man works remotely in a cafe
RossHelen / Shutterstock.com

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

Woman with a computer and notepad at home
Ground Picture / Shutterstock.com

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

Woman working from home in a high-rise building
fizkes / Shutterstock.com

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

Woman on a laptop for a video call
voronaman / Shutterstock.com

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

Tech worker or computer program or IT expert working on a laptop at the office on the internet
Gorodenkoff / Shutterstock.com

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

Woman working on her finances
Lopolo / Shutterstock.com

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

Robotics engineer or computer scientist using a laptop or tablet in a high tech office
Gorodenkoff / Shutterstock.com

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

Smiling woman with a calculator and a laptop planning finances or investment strategy
Have a nice day Photo / Shutterstock.com

Omni Calculator offers various tools, including salary comparison calculators that estimate earnings potential, to explore salary scenarios based on experience and location.

15. Paylab

businessman wearing glasses and headset having virtual team meeting on his laptop
Ground Picture / Shutterstock.com

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

Man working from remote office on laptop
GaudiLab / Shutterstock.com

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

Happy senior man working on his laptop and phone at a remote job.
Evgeny Atamanenko / Shutterstock.com

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

senior woman studying information on her tablet or laptop
Studio Romantic / Shutterstock.com

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

Senior worker
Krakenimages.com / Shutterstock.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

Happy couple doing bills or taxes on a laptop
NaMong Productions / Shutterstock.com

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

Man filing his taxes
Ground Picture / Shutterstock.com

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

Businesswoman using a laptop
mimagephotography / Shutterstock.com

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

Man surfing the web at a coffee shop
santypan / Shutterstock.com

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

Woman thinking at her laptop
ESB Professional / Shutterstock.com

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

Young woman working on laptop at the office
Suteren / Shutterstock.com

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

Woman on her laptop
TierneyMJ / Shutterstock.com

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

Young self-employed worker ready for work with laptop
baranq / Shutterstock.com

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

Woman working from home
insta_photos / Shutterstock.com

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

Young man working remotely on a laptop
merzzie / Shutterstock.com

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

A man plans his finances on his laptop and with notes
Rido / Shutterstock.com

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

Freelance worker using her laptop
JKstock / Shutterstock.com

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

Senior businesswoman or older worker smiling and using a clipboard or tablet to take notes during an interview or meeting
BongkarnGraphic / Shutterstock.com

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.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related articles

Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. (AAWH) Q1 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX:AAWH) Q1 2024 Earnings Conference Call May 7, 2024 8:30 AM ET Company...

Discover These 7 Ad Serving Platforms to Bring in Traffic in 2024

Ad serving platforms have evolved beyond the basic display features and functions. They are now powerful tools...