Listen up, career bosses: if you’re entering the workforce—or trying to level up—and you don’t know your market value, you’re already leaving money on the table.
And we don’t do that around here.
Whether you’re fresh out of school or have been freelancing and now want a full-time bag, understanding your market value is key to negotiating better offers, smarter salaries, and overall respect for your skills.
The best part? You don’t need to pay a dime to figure it out. Today, I’m showing you how to research your market value using free tools—step-by-step.
Let’s jump into it!
Step 1: Start with Salary Research Websites
There are websites out here doing God’s work by compiling salary data from real people in real jobs. Here’s where you start:
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Glassdoor – Search for your job title + location. Pay attention to salary ranges and company-specific reports.
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Salary.com – This site breaks it down with base salary, bonus, and total compensation averages.
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Indeed Salaries – Super simple. Type in your title, and boom: you get the average plus related roles.
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Levels.fyi – If you’re in tech, this site is GOLD for understanding salaries at top companies like Google, Meta, and more.
📝 Pro Tip: Always filter by location because salaries vary widely based on cost of living.
Step 2: Tap Into LinkedIn Salary Insights
LinkedIn Salary is a hidden gem a lot of people skip over.
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Go to LinkedIn > Jobs > Salary Insights.
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Enter your job title and location.
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LinkedIn will show you salary data based on real member reports.
You can also spy a little: when you apply to jobs via LinkedIn, some listings show an estimated salary range based on market data. Pay close attention!
Step 3: Network and Ask (Strategically)
Here’s a wild idea: ask people.
No, you’re not sliding into someone’s DMs asking, “Hey, how much you make?”
Here’s what you say instead:
“Hi [Name], I’m exploring opportunities as a [job title] and was wondering if you could share any insight into the typical salary range for someone with [X experience] in [industry/location].”
Professional. Respectful. Still gets you the info you need.
Use your alumni network, LinkedIn, Slack communities, or even Reddit threads like r/AskAManager.
Step 4: Study Job Descriptions Carefully
Many companies are finally posting salary ranges right in the job description (thanks, pay transparency laws!).
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Scan a few listings for your target role.
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Note the low and high end of the salary range.
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Notice what additional skills or certifications push candidates toward the higher end.
Skills = Money.
If you have high-demand skills (like SEO, Python, project management, Canva design, bilingual ability—you get it), your market value instantly increases.
Step 5: Analyze Your Unique Factors
Now that you have raw numbers, adjust for your reality:
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Experience level (internship vs 1-3 years vs 5+ years)
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Industry (tech pays differently than non-profits, no surprise there)
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Location (NYC vs Atlanta vs Remote can mean a $20K swing)
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Skill set (generic vs specialized skills)
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Education and certifications (optional but helpful)
Use this info to create your target salary range—the number you should negotiate around when you get job offers.
Why This Matters
Walking into an interview without knowing your market value is like showing up to a chess game blindfolded—you’re at a disadvantage from the jump.
Knowing your worth gives you confidence, leverage, and control in the interview and negotiation process.
Translation: More money, better offers, and a seat at the table you actually want to sit at.
Need Help Locking Down That Salary Bag?
Doing the research is one thing. Negotiating your worth in interviews without fumbling the bag? That’s a whole different skill set.
If you’re serious about securing top-dollar offers (without second-guessing yourself or sounding awkward), I’ve got you.
✅ Book a one-on-one Interview Prep and Salary Negotiation Coaching Session with me.
✅ We’ll role-play real interview scenarios, craft strong negotiation scripts, and help you walk into every conversation ready to secure the bag with confidence.
👉 Visit here to get started!
Your skills are valuable. Let’s make sure the world knows—and pays you accordingly.
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