Salary Benchmark Calculator
Compare your salary to BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) median wages by job category, experience, state, and education. Get a data-backed answer to 'am I underpaid?' and negotiation targets.
Results
Your salary of $85,000 is 46.9% BELOW the national median for Computer/Math roles with 6–10 years experience ($160,139 adjusted for your state).
Percentile estimate
~39th percentile
Typical range for your profile
$128,111 – $216,187
For negotiation, aim for
$192,166 – $216,187
top quartile
Cost-adjusted equivalent
$59,859
Purchasing power vs national avg in California
For negotiation, aim for the top quartile range. Use BLS data and your experience level to support your request.
See your after-tax take-home for this salary →
AI explains your result
FinCalc AI
Experience trajectory
Expected salary at each experience level (adjusted for your state and education).
| Experience | Expected salary |
|---|---|
| 0–2 years | $111,207 |
| 3–5 years | $136,414 |
| 6–10 years(you) | $160,139 |
| 11–15 years | $177,932 |
| 16+ years | $192,759 |
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What's Next?
How the Salary Benchmark Works
We use BLS occupational employment statistics (2024-2025) for median wages by SOC major group. Experience multipliers (0.75 for 0–2 years up to 1.30 for 16+) and education adjust the benchmark. State cost-of-living adjusters convert national medians to local expectations.
Methodology
Occupational medians from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Experience and education multipliers are approximate based on wage distribution research. State COL from regional price parities and common indexes.
Sources
Data and assumptions align with official publications. For verification and current figures:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — CPI, wage data, occupational statistics
Frequently asked questions
Am I underpaid?
Use the Salary Benchmark calculator with your job category, years of experience, state, education, and current salary. It compares you to BLS median wages for that occupation group, adjusted for experience and cost of living. If you are below the state-adjusted median, you may be underpaid relative to the market.
What is the average salary for my job?
BLS publishes median wages by occupation. The calculator uses these medians and adjusts for experience (0–2 years ≈ 75% of median, 6–10 years ≈ 108%, 16+ ≈ 130%), education, and state cost of living. Select your job category to see the benchmark for your profile.
How much should I ask for in a salary negotiation?
Aim for the top quartile range shown: roughly 120–135% of the state-adjusted median for your profile. Prepare with BLS data and your experience level. The calculator shows a negotiation target range; use it as a data point, not a guarantee.
How does cost of living affect salary benchmarks?
Salaries tend to be higher in high-cost states (California, New York, Hawaii) and lower in low-cost states (Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi). The calculator adjusts the national median by state COL so you compare apples to apples. Your "cost-adjusted equivalent" shows what your salary is worth in national-average terms.
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