Career Salary Benchmarks: What You Should Be Earning
Compare salary benchmarks across industries and career levels to understand where you stand.
Understanding salary benchmarks helps you negotiate better and plan your career strategically.
Factors That Affect Salary
1. Industry
Tech, finance, and healthcare consistently pay above average. Education and nonprofit tend to pay below.
2. Location
Cost of living dramatically affects salaries:
- San Francisco/New York: 40–60% above national average
- Seoul: Higher than Korean average
- Remote work is narrowing these gaps
3. Experience Level
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4. Skills Premium
In-demand skills command a premium:
- AI/ML: 20–40% premium
- Cloud architecture: 15–30% premium
- Data science: 15–25% premium
- Cybersecurity: 15–25% premium
How to Research Your Benchmark
1. Use multiple sources: No single source is perfectly accurate
2. Match your title AND responsibilities: Titles vary across companies
3. Consider total compensation: Base + bonus + equity + benefits
4. Look at recent data: Markets shift quickly, especially in tech
When You Are Below Market
If you discover you are significantly underpaid:
1. Document your market research
2. Prepare your achievement record
3. Request a meeting with your manager
4. Present data, not emotions
5. Be ready to discuss a timeline for adjustment
When to Change Jobs for Higher Pay
Job-hopping typically yields 10–20% salary increases vs 3–5% for staying. But consider:
- Vesting schedules for stock options
- Institutional knowledge value
- Work-life balance at current role
- Growth opportunities
Use our salary calculator to compare offers.