Data Sources

Primary Sources

  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES)
  • U.S. Census Bureau - American Community Survey data
  • State Government Databases - Public employee salary records
  • Federal Government - OPM salary tables and federal employee data

Calculation Method

Step 1: Job Title Matching

We use the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system to match your job title to government occupation codes. Our algorithm performs fuzzy matching to find the closest match even if your exact title isn't in our database.

Step 2: Geographic Adjustment

Salaries are adjusted based on your location using:

  • Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) data when available
  • State-level adjustments for non-metro areas
  • Cost of living indices from government sources

Step 3: Percentile Calculation

Your salary is compared against the distribution of salaries for your occupation and location:

  • 10th Percentile: 10% of workers earn less
  • 25th Percentile: 25% of workers earn less
  • 50th Percentile (Median): 50% of workers earn less
  • 75th Percentile: 75% of workers earn less
  • 90th Percentile: 90% of workers earn less

Underpaid Determination

You are considered underpaid if your salary falls below the 25th percentile for your occupation and location. This means 75% or more of people in similar roles in your area earn more than you do.

Data Accuracy & Limitations

What We Include

  • Base annual salary (gross income before taxes)
  • Geographic cost-of-living adjustments
  • Industry-specific variations where available
  • Most recent government data (typically 1-2 years old)

What We Don't Include

  • Bonuses, stock options, or other variable compensation
  • Benefits value (health insurance, retirement contributions)
  • Company size or industry-specific premiums
  • Years of experience or education level adjustments
  • Real-time market fluctuations

Data Freshness

Government salary data is typically updated annually. Our database reflects the most recent available data from each source, which may be 12-24 months old. We update our data as soon as new government statistics are released.

Important Disclaimers

  • Results are estimates for informational purposes only
  • Individual circumstances may vary significantly
  • Consider total compensation, not just base salary
  • Market conditions change rapidly in some industries
  • Use this data as one factor in career decisions
  • Consult with career professionals for personalized advice