How to Research Market Rates for Your Role

Find salary data and negotiate fair pay by researching compensation ranges across multiple sources and factoring in your location.

1. Start with free salary databases. Use Glassdoor, PayScale, and Salary.com to get baseline ranges for your job title and location. Search for your exact role first, then similar titles if data is sparse. These sites aggregate self-reported data, so expect wide ranges — focus on the median and 75th percentile numbers.
2. Check government labor statistics. Visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics database for official salary data by metro area. This data lags 1-2 years but comes from employer surveys, making it more reliable than self-reported numbers. Look up your occupation code for the most accurate match.
3. Factor in your location premium. Adjust national averages using cost-of-living calculators or city-specific salary data. Major tech hubs typically pay 20-40% above national averages, while smaller markets may pay 10-20% below. Remote roles often split the difference between company headquarters rates and your local market.
4. Research company-specific ranges. Look up your target companies on Glassdoor, Levels.fyi (for tech), or H1B salary databases (shows what companies pay visa workers). Some states now require salary ranges in job postings — use these as benchmarks even if you're not applying to those specific roles.
5. Account for your experience level. Entry-level typically sits at the 25th percentile, mid-level around the 50-75th percentile, and senior roles above the 75th percentile of published ranges. Add 5-15% to base ranges for each year of relevant experience beyond the minimum job requirements.
6. Set your negotiation range. Take your research median and add 10-20% as your initial ask, with your researched number as your acceptable minimum. Include total compensation — base salary, bonus targets, equity, and benefits value — not just base pay when comparing offers.