Is this job offer fair? How to check pay for your level and city
To check whether pay is fair, compare the offer with posted pay for the same title, level and place, and with government wage data for the occupation. Use two or three sources, since any one can be off.
By Justin KullaLast updated
Where to look
- Postings for similar jobs in your area that state pay. Several states and cities now require a pay range in the posting.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data by occupation and metro area, at bls.gov/oes.
- People you know in the field, and professional association salary surveys.
Compare the whole package
- Base pay, bonus, equity and the chance you will actually receive them.
- Health coverage cost, retirement match, paid time off and remote or hybrid terms.
- Title and level, because the same title can sit at different levels at different employers.
If it is low
Ask for the range for the role and how the level was set. Counter with the evidence you gathered and your results, and negotiate the whole package, not only the base.
Frequently asked questions
What is a fair range?
The middle of what comparable jobs pay in your area, adjusted for your experience. Wage data gives a median and a spread, not one number.
Are salary websites accurate?
They are a starting point, built from self-reported figures. Cross-check with postings and government data.
Does location matter for remote jobs?
Some employers pay by location and some pay one rate. Ask which applies before you compare.
Can I ask what the range is?
Yes. Ask early, politely, and before you name a number of your own.
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