Title Variants
Search nearby titles—“Support Specialist” vs “Customer Success Rep”, “Engineer” vs “Developer.” Different labels, similar bands.
Browse Jobs
Pick a career to view national overview and state pages.
Make the Most of Job Salary Lookups
Location Premiums
Major metros often pay more; fully‑remote roles may adjust by region. Compare a few cities to understand ranges.
Level & Scope
Associate, Senior, Staff, Lead—scope changes compensation bands. Check a level up/down to see growth paths.
Total Comp, Not Just Salary
Include bonuses, equity, and benefits (401(k) match, health premiums, HSA). These can shift take‑home more than you expect.
From Range to Paycheck
Found a range that fits? Estimate your net pay with the paycheck calculator—taxes and deductions vary by state and benefits.
Negotiation Pointers
- Anchor on market data from multiple sources.
- Negotiate total comp: salary, bonus target, equity refresher cadence.
- Ask about remote/location adjustments and leveling criteria.
Where Salary Data Comes From
Employer Reports
Surveys compiled from HRIS/ATS systems; strong sample sizes, often lag by a quarter.
Public Postings
Many states require pay ranges in job ads. Use ranges as bands, not guaranteed offers.
Self‑Reported
Community submissions can be timely but noisy. Cross‑check before anchoring.
Government Data
BLS/ONS provide occupational medians and regional differentials—great for baseline comparisons.
Cost‑of‑Living (COL) Adjustments in Practice
Companies may apply location multipliers to keep compensation competitive. A 1.15× metro premium or 0.90× rural discount is common. Always ask how remote bands are set.
- Confirm your base location for pay purposes.
- Ask if the multiplier affects raises, bonuses, and equity refreshers.
- Recheck COL if you move or your team changes location policy.
Sample Bands & What Changes Them
Customer Support (IC)
Range: $40k–$58k (national). Higher in tier‑1 metros, night/weekend shifts, or technical queues.
Marketing Specialist
Range: $55k–$80k. Skills in paid media/analytics or industry niche raise the band.
Software Engineer (L2)
Range: $95k–$140k base. Equity and bonus vary widely; total comp can 1.5–3× base at some firms.
Nurse (RN)
Range: $70k–$105k. Shift diffs, certifications, and hospital system size matter.
Figures are illustrative bands—use local data to refine.
Translate Compensation Language in Postings
“Competitive Pay”
Ask for the range and level. “Competitive” is subjective without a band and leveling framework.
“OTE”
On‑Target Earnings = base + variable at 100% performance (common in sales). Confirm base separately.
“Equity Refreshers”
Annual RSU/option grants after your initial grant. Ask about cadence, performance linkage, and target value.
“Commensurate with Experience”
Signals flexible bands by level. Provide market data and examples of impact to justify your target.
Value the Benefits
Health & Dental
Employer premiums can be worth $4k–$10k/yr+ depending on plan and dependents.
Retirement
401(k) match and profit‑sharing add real dollars; model vesting and eligibility.
Time Off
PTO, sick time, holidays, and paid leave have monetary value—especially if unused days roll over or cash out.
Other Perks
Stipends (remote work, education), commuter benefits, and wellness can offset costs.
Next: Estimate Your Take‑Home
Use the paycheck calculator to convert these ranges into expected net pay based on your state, benefits, and pay schedule.