By Valerie S. Johnson
Whether you are applying for a new job or seeking a pay raise at your current gig, you need reliable information about salaries. It’s crucial to research the price tag of the position just as you would for any major purchase. So where do you get this data?
Human Relations departments are privy to detailed statistical info that they purchase to help determine compensation. However, this data is not for sale at any price to individuals. Why? It’s a similar situation with recruitment companies engaged by employers. The reputable headhunters will not poach employees from their clients for fear of losing business. Similarly, the companies that sell salary information to employers have nothing to gain and everything to lose by telling job applicants how much they could earn.
The pioneer free online source for compensation data for employees is
Salary.com. The information is provided by human resource departments and includes base salary, bonuses, and benefits based on your location and education. A more detailed report is available for a fee.
PayScale.com is a new website where all data is provided by the individuals using the site according to job titles and other factors. The highest and lowest salary figures are discarded from the ranges. You get a free basic report, plus job seekers get an instant list of available positions.
A third compensation website is due to launch next month. It appears that
Payscroll.com will use a combination of user self-reported information plus details from online job listings.
Boss, do you have a few minutes?
03-04-2007, 09:27 PM
How Much are You Worth?
