Paid salary sites are fine, but some of the best pay data in the US is free and comes from the government. Here’s how to use it to find out whether you’re underpaid.
1. Find your occupation in OEWS
The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program surveys employers and publishes wages for hundreds of occupations, nationally, by state, and by metro area. For each job it shows the 10th, 25th, median (50th), 75th, and 90th percentile wages.
- Search by occupation title, then open the metro area table.
- Pick the job description that matches your duties, not just your title.
2. Read the percentiles
If you’re experienced and strong at your job but paid near the 25th percentile for your area, you have a clear case. New to the field? The 25th to 50th percentile range is a realistic target.
3. Check the outlook
The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook explains duties, education, typical pay, and projected job growth. Fast-growing fields give you more bargaining power, because employers compete for people.
4. Account for overall wage growth
The BLS Employment Cost Index tracks how fast wages and benefits are growing across the economy. If wages grew faster than your last raise, your pay fell behind in real terms. Compare your raise with inflation, too. Our 2027 raise forecast covers what employers are budgeting.
5. Turn the data into a request
Bring a short summary to the conversation: your role’s metro median, where you sit in the range, and two or three results you delivered this year. Ask for a specific number. See our step-by-step guide to asking for a raise.