Salary Survey Report for Country: United States

Researching Average Salaries

In the United States, as in other countries, salaries vary widely depending on industry, region, employment setting and other factors. Even when researching average salaries for a single profession, there is often a range of possible salaries. For instance, software engineers working for small firms may earn lower salaries than similarly trained professionals employed at larger companies. Teaching positions at public schools in New York City are likely to pay higher salaries than school districts in smaller towns could afford. There are endless examples of how employment opportunities and salaries may be different from one place to the next. Doing general research on average salaries can only provide so much information; narrowing your search to focus on specific criteria will give you a better idea of what salaries to expect based on your qualifications, location, experience and more. One of the great advantages of conducting salary research is being prepared when it comes time for negotiating salary offers. During job interviews, many people feel lost when it comes to negotiating salary. The first step for a successful negotiation is to find out what other people in similar positions are earning. With that knowledge, you can feel confident about whether or not a prospective employer is offering a fair compensation package.

The report on Salaries by Job Title provides a list of salaries for different positions within the United States. It also reveals that information technology and construction are two industries offering relatively high salaries. While some jobs require specific education and training, experience is a key factor in almost any profession. Measuring Average Salaries by Years of Experience, we can see that, in general, salaries tend to increase over time. Whether you're a nurse, lawyer, waiter or animal trainer, on-the-job experience will advance your career and lead to higher salaries. Wondering about average job salaries in a specific area? Comparing average salaries by location produces some interesting, if not surprising, results. The chart on Average Salaries by State shows that New York and California are at the top of the list for high salaries. This data is repeated in the Salaries by City chart, with New York and Los Angeles almost tied for first place. Keep in mind that these higher salaries may simply reflect the higher cost of living for these cities. Use PayScale's Cost of Living Calculator to compare both the cost of living and average salaries for different job titles in New York and Los Angeles.

For more information on negotiating salary offers, read PayScale's articles on Tips for Negotiating Salary.