How To Find Out How Much a Job Pays

When you’re applying for jobs, finding out how much you could earn can be really helpful. Knowing the starting pay can help you decide whether to apply for a job. Learning about salaries for your occupation or one you’d like to work in can help you navigate a career change, ask for more money when you’re offered a job, or request a raise at your current position.

In some cases, salary is listed in job postings, but that’s not always the case. If pay information isn’t available, you can use online tools to learn how much a job pays and decide whether to apply, negotiate a job offer, or look for more money.

Factors That Impact Pay

It can be challenging to determine the starting pay for a job due to various factors that influence it. The hourly rate or annual salary can vary significantly between companies and industries unless you’re applying for a role with a set pay rate, such as those in unionized or public sector positions.

Minimum Wage

Minimum wage rates vary by country and region, and employers might follow specific salary scales—or they might allow for more flexibility. Larger organizations often have structured pay scales, while smaller employers may offer more negotiable salaries.

Location

The job location plays a significant role in determining salary levels. For example, roles in major metropolitan areas or regions with a high cost of living may offer higher pay compared to similar positions in smaller towns or rural areas. Conversely, remote positions might offer a range that reflects a blend of local and global market standards.

The Benefits of Researching Salary

It can take time, but it’s worth researching salaries before you apply and when you’re in contention for a job and hoping for an offer. The more information you have, the better position you’ll be in to negotiate a job offer.

Learning about the average salary for someone in your job can also help you get a raise and provide you with information to substantiate your request.

Here are the best options to find out how much a job is going to pay.

6 Ways To Learn How Much a Job Pays

Before you start researching salaries, it’s important to be aware that there are different ways a company can share salary information with applicants. Sometimes, an employer will list a salary range—for example, $60,000–$90,000 per year, depending on experience. The job offer to the successful candidate will fall somewhere within that range.

Other employers may list a set wage for a job—for example, $20 per hour. When the rate is set in advance, prospective employees will most likely be unable to negotiate a higher wage.

If you can’t find an actual wage for a job, you may be able to find a range or an estimate of what you can expect to earn.

Here’s information on the different ways you can learn how much a job pays:

1. Check the Job Posting

The easiest way to find out how much a job pays is to check the details in the job posting. Even if the law doesn’t require it, some companies post salary information in their job advertisements. That’s because they want to be fair and transparent when recruiting and because it can help narrow down the applicant pool to candidates comfortable with the advertised range.

Check job postings (the information may be at the bottom of the description) to see if the employer has listed a salary range for the job.

2. Visit the Company Website

Some employers list salary information in the “Careers” or “Jobs” section of their company website even if they don’t post it in jobs they list on job boards or elsewhere online.

If you find a job you’re interested in online, check the company website to see if you can learn more about the job and how much it pays.

Tip: Consider applying on the company’s website while you’re there. Your application will go directly into the employer’s applicant tracking system, and you may be able to fast-track the hiring process.

3. Try Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI is another way to learn about how much a job pays. I asked ChatGPT how much a computer programmer in New York City earned, and I got a detailed response:

You can also ask AI about jobs and salaries at the employers you are interested in working for. For example, when asked about warehouse jobs at a major e-commerce company, AI tools like ChatGPT, Bing, and Bard reported that the average hourly wage is around $15 to $16 per hour. They noted that pay can vary depending on the position, location, and level of experience. A review of the company’s job listings indicated that warehouse roles may pay up to approximately $16 per hour.

It can be quicker to ask an AI tool than to search through numerous job listings. Try using AI tools to get a general idea of what you could earn, but remember that AI-generated information isn’t always accurate.

Note: This important disclaimer applies to all the salary information you find online that isn’t provided directly by an employer: “These figures are estimates only, and actual salaries can vary significantly based on individual circumstances.”

4. Review Salary Transparency Websites

For more detailed salary data, consider checking out websites that compile online salary information from job postings. For example:

• Comprehensive.io tracks and publishes salary ranges for roles across various industries.
• Levels.fyi Jobs lists advertised salary ranges and then estimates total compensation packages.

5. Check Salary Websites

Numerous websites provide salary information for different occupations, industries, and regions. Here’s a selection of sites to explore:

• Comparably: Search by industry, department, job title, and region to generate salary information. You can also browse categories such as highest paying jobs and recent salaries by company.
• Indeed: Use Indeed to search for salary information by job title, skills, certifications, benefits, and keywords.
• Glassdoor: Enter your current or desired job title, location, and employer to estimate what you could be earning.
• Occupational Outlook Handbook: Discover salaries for hundreds of occupations, including information on the highest-paid and fastest-growing roles.
• Payscale: Get a free salary report based on your current role or a potential job offer, along with details on job title, skills, education, and region.
• Salary.com: In addition to providing a personalized salary report, you can browse roles by industry, income, and other factors.
• ZipRecruiter: Search by job title, keyword, and location to obtain salary estimates and view related job ads.

6. Tap Your Connections

If you have contacts at a company you’d love to work for, don’t hesitate to ask them about the salary for roles you’re interested in. Even if they can’t provide exact figures, they might be able to give you a general idea of the pay range.

Consider reaching out through professional networks such as LinkedIn, alumni associations, or personal contacts.

Calculate Take-Home Pay and Overtime

Once you’ve estimated what you might earn, it can be helpful to calculate your net take-home pay and potential overtime earnings. For instance, if you expect an hourly wage of $18 or an annual salary of $50,000, how much will your net income be? And what might be your overtime pay if you’re compensated hourly?

There are free tools available to help you calculate these figures:

Paycheck Calculators

Use online paycheck calculators to estimate your net take-home pay. Enter your salary or hourly wage, and the tool will provide an estimate of your paycheck after deductions.

Overtime Calculators

Estimate your potential overtime earnings with online overtime calculators. By entering your regular rate of pay and an estimate of extra hours worked, you can calculate your overtime pay.