Data Sources
Last updated: January 2025
Transparency about our data is a core commitment. This page describes every source we use to generate salary benchmarks.
Curated Benchmark Database
PrimaryOur primary salary data is a curated set of benchmarks compiled from publicly available compensation surveys, BLS occupational employment statistics, and industry compensation reports. These are reviewed and updated periodically for accuracy.
Coverage
18+ job titles across 8+ US cities, 4 experience levels each.
Limitations
Updated periodically — not in real time. May lag rapid market changes in high-demand roles.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
SecondaryThe US Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey annually. This provides large-sample baseline data for wage distributions across hundreds of occupations and geographic areas.
Coverage
All US occupations, all states and many metropolitan areas.
Limitations
BLS data reflects all employers including public sector, which may differ significantly from private tech or finance sector benchmarks.
Live Database (Supabase)
Primary (when available)When a live match is available in our database, it takes priority over the seeded curated dataset. Live data is updated more frequently and reflects recent market submissions.
Coverage
Variable — expands as data is contributed.
Limitations
Coverage is not comprehensive for all role/city combinations.
AI-Assisted Estimation
FallbackWhen no curated or live benchmark exists for a given job title and location, we fall back to a large language model to estimate compensation. These results are explicitly flagged as AI-estimated in the interface.
Coverage
Any job title and location — broadest coverage.
Limitations
AI estimates carry higher uncertainty and should be treated as rough directional guidance only. Always cross-reference with other sources before negotiating.
External Resources
For additional salary research, we recommend cross-referencing with these sources: