How do I know if my salary is fair?
Job titles rarely match actual day-to-day responsibilities, leaving professionals guessing whether they are underpaid for their workload. Without a clear way to compare total compensation including bonuses, benefits, and remote arrangements across similar roles, employees cannot confidently ask for a raise.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Researching similar roles and job titles for local market comparison
- 2Talking to leadership with salary comparables
- 3Starting job hunting to test the market and get competing offers
- 4Asking peers on online forums about their current compensation
- 5Comparing salaries across different provinces, industries, and organizational sizes
- 6comparing local salaries to Western European salary bands
- 7applying to other companies to test market value
- 8tying raise requests directly to product revenue rather than a flat monthly bump
- 9looking at job postings
- 10planning to job hop in the future
- 11shop around for a better offer
- 12wait for a promotion to senior
- 13relocate and work in the US
- 14Researching general salary ranges based on industry, company size, and responsibilities
- 15Comparing compensation against peers with or without a CPA designation
- 16Looking up local salary statistics
- 17Asking online forums for peer salary comparisons
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Just wondering what everyone thinks if I should ask for more money with all the work I am putting in.”source ↗
“Hi all, just wanted your take on this as I’ve been wondering about it lately.”source ↗
“Am I being underpaid?”source ↗
“I was wondering what you are making in your HR Coordinator roles. Salary, bonuses, benefits, in office, remote, hybrid, those sort of things.”source ↗
“I’m currently making $90K and am considering asking for a compensation adjustment. I’m also working toward passing the CFE, but don’t have my CPA yet.”source ↗
“What would you consider a reasonable salary for my situation? Would $105K, $110K, or $115K be too much to ask?”source ↗
“I was curious as to what others in michigan particularly west michigan lakeshore area are getting paid and if this seems fair or not.”source ↗
“My question is what would be a fair pay expectation for the upcoming promotion to account manager (seems to be their version of Jr Accountant?) and then once I have my degree?”source ↗
“I truly have nothing to compare with.”source ↗
“I'm expecting a pretty good bump, just not sure how much of a bump”source ↗
“Sorry if this is the wrong sub. But I need help in identifying my pricing.”source ↗
“I was thinking of asking for a big bump. Like to 4000 euros a month. Cause I don't have equity or anything if the project becomes super successful.”source ↗
“Looking for an outsider perspective on my situation so I can negotiate a good raise for myself.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 2Is a 1099 contractor job worth it compared to a W2 salary?
- 4Am I saving enough money for the future?
- 2Why do job listings hide the salary?
- 3Should I take a very low-paying entry-level job out of desperation?
- 4How can small businesses afford twenty dollar minimum wage?
- 3How to know if a roof replacement quote is fair