Free Compensation Calculator

Get accurate salary data for any role using official Bureau of Labor Statistics data

Fair compensation starts with accurate data

Whether you're hiring your first employee, evaluating an offer, or planning raises, you need reliable salary information. Our free calculator uses official government data to give you real numbers.

Official BLS Data

Powered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics—the most comprehensive wage database available

Location-Specific

Get salary ranges specific to your metro area, not generic national averages

AI-Powered Search

Natural language search understands your job title, even if you don't know the official name

Multiple Percentiles

See 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile pay for informed decisions

Use the Calculator

The calculator opens in a new window. Enter your location and job title to get started.

Open Compensation Calculator →

Free to use. No signup required. Opens in new window.

How It Works

1

Enter Your Location

Type your city or metro area. Our AI will match it to the closest BLS data region.

2

Search for a Job Title

Enter the role you're researching. Use natural language—"electrician" or "office manager" both work.

3

Review Salary Data

See hourly and annual rates across multiple percentiles. Compare local to national averages.

4

Make Informed Decisions

Use real data to set fair wages, negotiate offers, or plan compensation budgets.

Who Uses This Calculator

Growing Businesses

Set fair wages for new hires without overpaying or underpaying. Make compensation decisions based on data, not guesswork.

Job Seekers

Know your worth before negotiating. Verify if an offer is competitive for your location and experience level.

HR Professionals

Quick salary research for new positions. Verify pay equity and benchmark against market rates.

Business Advisors

Help clients with compensation planning. Provide data-backed recommendations for team building and budgets.

Common Questions

Where does the data come from?

All salary data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program. This is the same source used by most professional salary research tools.

How current is the data?

BLS updates wage data annually, typically in the spring. The calculator uses the most recent available dataset.

What do the percentiles mean?

The 50th percentile (median) means half of workers earn more and half earn less. The 10th percentile represents entry-level pay, while the 90th percentile represents top earners in that role.

Why use AI for job title matching?

BLS uses specific occupation codes and titles that don't always match how people describe their jobs. AI helps translate "front desk person" into "Receptionists and Information Clerks" so you get the right data.

Is this really free?

Yes. No signup, no payment, no email required. We built this as a useful resource for the business community.

Can I use this for compensation planning?

Absolutely. This is a research tool using official government data. Many businesses use BLS data for internal compensation planning and budgeting.

Need help with compensation strategy?

The calculator gives you data. We help you apply it to your specific situation.

Groundwork Partners provides HR and operations support for growing businesses. We help with compensation planning, pay equity, job descriptions, and building fair pay structures.

Talk to us about your team