How to research salary using official sources (US)
Good salary research uses several sources and a range, not a single number. Start with government wage data for your occupation and area, add pay ranges from job postings in places that require them, and compare against your own experience level. Treat any single figure as a starting point.
At a glance
- Use official data first: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) wage statistics for your occupation and area.
- Read the percentiles, not just the average.
- Check job postings for stated pay ranges.
- Adjust for your experience, location and employer size.
- Note the date. Pay data ages.
Source 1: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
BLS publishes wages by occupation, state and metropolitan area, including percentile figures. The Occupational Outlook Handbook describes duties and typical pay for many jobs. Both are free at bls.gov. Look up the occupation name, then the area, and read the 10th, median and 90th percentile.
Source 2: O*NET OnLine
O*NET describes the tasks, skills and titles in each occupation and links to wage data. Use it to find the official occupation name that matches your job.
Source 3: job postings with pay ranges
Some states and cities require employers to post pay ranges. See our pay transparency law guide. A posted range shows what a specific employer plans to pay, which is useful for a negotiation.
How to read the numbers
| Figure | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Median | Half of workers earn more, half less |
| 10th percentile | Often entry level or low-pay areas |
| 90th percentile | Often senior, specialist or high-cost areas |
| Mean (average) | Can be pulled up by a few high earners |
Turn data into a range
- Find the occupation and area.
- Note the 25th, median and 75th percentile.
- Place yourself by experience: early career near the lower half, experienced near the upper.
- Compare with two or three posted ranges for similar jobs.
- Choose a range with a floor you would accept and a target.
What BLS data covers
The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program produces employment and wage estimates annually for about 830 occupations, for the nation, individual states and metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. BLS lists May 2025 as the reference period of its latest release as of 31 October 2026. Because the reference period is months behind today, pay may have moved since, so compare with current postings.
Step by step: a 30 minute research session
- Search O*NET OnLine for your job title and note the official occupation name.
- Open BLS wage data and find that occupation for your state or metro area.
- Write down the 25th, median and 75th percentile.
- Open two or three current job postings that list pay ranges and note the range and the level.
- Decide where your skills and experience sit, and choose a range you can defend.
- Write down the date and the sources, so you can update the range later.
Common mistakes
- Using only the average.
- Matching by job title instead of by duties.
- Mixing national figures with a high-cost city offer.
- Ignoring bonus and benefits. See total compensation.
- Treating a self-reported salary site as official.
- Never writing down the date of the data.
Limits to remember
- Official data lags by months or a year.
- Titles differ between employers; match by duties.
- Total pay includes bonus and benefits. See total compensation.
- Informal salary sites may use self-reported figures. Check them against official data.
Frequently asked questions
Does LiveRec publish salary averages? No. This guide points to official sources and does not invent figures.
What if my job is not listed? Use the closest occupation and note the differences.
Should I use my current pay as a baseline? Use market data. Some states restrict asking about pay history; see pay transparency laws.
Which percentile should I aim for? It depends on your experience and the job's duties. Early career roles are often nearer the lower half and experienced ones nearer the upper half, but use your own evidence.
How often does the data change? BLS publishes OEWS estimates annually, so check each year's release.
Next step
Pick your occupation on BLS, write down the 25th, median and 75th percentile for your area, then use salary negotiation steps.
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.