Research compensation without guessing

Start with the right question

Compare like-for-like data and understand what a number includes.

Compensation depends on location, level, employment type, company, and date. Use several named sources and record whether each reports base salary, total compensation, advertised ranges, or survey responses.

See the idea in practice

This example illustrates the approach. Adapt it to your circumstances and replace any sample detail with evidence you can verify. The wording is less important than the relationship between the problem, your action, and the result.

Research worksheet: source URL | retrieval date | location | role and level | sample context | base or total | currency | limitations.

Try this next

Start with public job postings for comparable roles and official labor statistics for the relevant country. Treat anonymous self-reported samples as one input, not a guaranteed offer.

Make one revision at a time and compare it with your starting point. Ask a reader who does not know your background what they understand from the new version. Their questions can help you identify missing context.

Watch for this common mistake

Do not compare annual base salary with a total package that includes uncertain bonuses or equity. This guide intentionally provides no unsourced salary figures.

Before you move on

Check that the final version is specific, truthful, and relevant to your intended audience. Keep a note of the evidence behind important claims so you can explain them in a conversation. Save the version with a clear name before creating another variation.