Salaries & wage rates
Know the range.
Prepare your case.
Compare reliable salary and hourly-rate information before you apply, accept an offer or request a raise. Pay varies by occupation, experience, location, industry, shift, credentials and employer.
Start with evidence
Research more than one source.
Salary sites use different methods and may rely on employer postings, worker reports, surveys or government data. Compare several sources and pay close attention to location and experience level.
Indeed Salaries
Compare reported pay by job title and location while reviewing current openings.
Open resource ↗02CareerOneStop Salary Finder
Use free occupation- and location-based wage information supported by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Open resource ↗03BLS Occupational Wage Data
Review official state, metropolitan, industry and national wage estimates.
Open resource ↗04Glassdoor Employer Research
Consider salary reports and workplace reviews as one source—not the only source—when evaluating an employer.
Open resource ↗Salary and wage-rate negotiation strategies & tips
A confident request begins before the conversation.
Research the market, identify the value you bring and practice a respectful, evidence-based request. Consider the entire offer—including benefits, scheduling, remote work, paid leave, retirement contributions, training and a future salary review—not salary alone.
- Wait until an offer exists unless the employer requires an earlier discussion.
- Use a researched target and decide what minimum package you can accept.
- Connect your request to relevant experience, credentials and measurable contributions.
- Ask professionally, listen carefully and avoid inventing competing offers.
- Request the final compensation package and negotiated changes in writing.
Build Your Case With Official Wage Data
BLS explains how occupation, location, industry and wage percentiles can support a pay discussion.
Use this resource ↗AAUW Work Smart & Start Smart
Training on target pay, accomplishments, persuasive language, benefits and negotiation confidence.
Use this resource ↗Indeed Salary-Negotiation Guide
A practical sequence for researching, preparing talking points, rehearsing and responding to an offer.
Use this resource ↗Harvard Program on Negotiation
Research-informed guidance for discussing pay and other terms without treating the conversation as win-or-lose.
Use this resource ↗