Free Underpaid Calculator & Salary Checker - Find out if you're underpaid with our salary underpaid test using official government data in 60 seconds
Wondering "am I underpaid?" You're not alone. Studies show that 73% of professionals are underpaid and don't even realize it. Our free salary checker and wage calculator uses official government data to help you determine if you're earning what you deserve. For comprehensive salary information across industries, check out our detailed 2025 Salary Guide or read our complete am I underpaid assessment guide.
Unlike crowdsourced salary websites, our wage calculator uses verified data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This means you get accurate, unbiased salary information based on real employer surveys, not user-submitted estimates that can be inflated or outdated. Learn more about our data methodology and sources, or explore our comprehensive am I underpaid salary guide.
Our salary checker factors in both industry and geographic location to provide accurate wage comparisons. A software engineer in San Francisco will have different salary expectations than one in Austin, Texas. Similarly, healthcare professionals, finance workers, and engineers all have distinct salary ranges based on their specific industries.
Use our free wage calculator above to discover if you're underpaid. It takes just 60 seconds and requires no signup or personal information.
You can determine if you're underpaid by comparing your current salary to market rates for your job title, experience level, and location. Our free underpaid calculator uses official government data to show you exactly where your salary stands compared to others in similar roles. If your salary falls below the 25th percentile for your position, you're likely underpaid.
Common signs you're underpaid include: your salary hasn't increased in 2+ years, colleagues with similar experience earn more, job postings for your role offer higher salaries, you're performing above your job level, or our salary checker shows you're below market rate. Use our underpaid calculator to get objective data about your compensation.
If you're earning 10-15% below market rate, you're moderately underpaid. Being 20% or more below market rate indicates you're significantly underpaid and should consider negotiating or seeking new opportunities. Our salary underpaid test shows exactly how your compensation compares to government data for your role.
Our salary data comes directly from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which conducts comprehensive surveys of employers nationwide. This data represents real wages paid to employees and is updated annually, making it one of the most reliable sources for salary information available.
Experience levels help provide more accurate salary comparisons by accounting for career progression. Entry level (0-2 years), Mid-level (3-7 years), Senior (8-15 years), and Expert (15+ years) each have different salary expectations based on skills, responsibilities, and market value.
If our tool indicates you're underpaid, it means your current salary falls below the median for your job title, location, and experience level based on government data. This could be due to various factors including company size, industry, negotiation history, or market timing.
Government salary data is typically updated annually by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We refresh our database regularly to ensure you're getting the most current information available for making informed career and salary decisions.
Absolutely! This tool provides objective, government-backed data that can strengthen your position in salary negotiations. Having concrete data about market rates for your role and experience level gives you confidence and credibility when discussing compensation. Learn more about our data methodology and explore salary insights by location.
Yes, location significantly impacts salary due to cost of living differences, local job markets, and regional economic conditions. A software engineer in San Francisco typically earns more than one in smaller cities, but the cost of living difference often balances the equation.
Discover how location affects salary ranges across major metropolitan areas
Tech Hub Premium
Software engineers earn 40-60% above national average, but cost of living is 80% higher. Strong job market with 15,000+ tech openings annually.
Financial Capital
Finance and consulting roles command premium salaries. High competition but excellent career advancement opportunities across industries.
Emerging Tech Hub
Rapidly growing tech scene with lower cost of living. Popular for startups and established tech companies expanding operations.
Midwest Business Center
Diverse economy with strong manufacturing, finance, and healthcare sectors. Balanced cost of living with good salary potential.
Cloud Computing Hub
Home to major tech companies with strong demand for cloud computing and software development professionals. No state income tax.
Location Independent
Growing trend with 35% of professionals working remotely. Salaries often adjusted for location but offer lifestyle flexibility.
Use our salary checker above to see how your location affects your earning potential!
Explore salary ranges and growth opportunities across major industries
Highest Growth Sector
Software development, cloud computing, and AI/ML roles continue to command premium salaries with excellent growth prospects.
Essential Services
Healthcare professionals enjoy stable employment with competitive compensation and strong job security across all experience levels.
High Earning Potential
Financial services offer lucrative compensation packages with performance bonuses and excellent advancement opportunities.
Stable Growth
Engineering roles provide solid compensation with opportunities in traditional manufacturing and emerging green technologies.
Check your specific role and experience level with our salary calculator above!