Whether you’re negotiating a new job offer, asking for a raise, or simply curious if you’re being paid fairly, knowing your market value is crucial. Thankfully, you don’t need to rely on guesswork—there are plenty of powerful tools that let you compare salaries by job title, location, industry, and experience level.
Here’s a roundup of the best salary comparison tools in 2025 to help you confidently navigate your career and income.
1. Glassdoor
Why it’s useful:
Glassdoor offers self-reported salary data from employees across thousands of companies and roles. You can filter results by location, company, and experience level, giving you a solid ballpark of what others in your position are earning.
Bonus: Glassdoor also includes reviews and interview insights, helping you understand company culture and compensation holistically.
2. Levels.fyi
Why it’s useful:
This is the go-to site for tech professionals. Levels.fyi provides clear, structured compensation data, including base salary, bonuses, and equity for roles at major tech companies like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft.
Best for: Software engineers, product managers, and tech roles looking for transparency in career progression and pay scales.
3. Payscale
Why it’s useful:
Payscale uses a mix of proprietary data and user-reported information to deliver detailed salary reports based on job title, experience, education, and location. It also offers a “Know Your Worth” tool that personalizes your estimated market value.
Standout feature: You can track how your value changes over time and receive suggestions for how to boost your pay.
4. Indeed Salary Tool
Why it’s useful:
Indeed aggregates salary data from millions of job postings, making it a great resource for real-time salary insights. It breaks down earnings by job title, employer, and region.
Pro tip: Use this in conjunction with your job search to make sure roles are offering competitive compensation.
5. LinkedIn Salary Insights
Why it’s useful:
LinkedIn offers salary data that’s directly tied to your network and professional background. It factors in industry, location, and job function. If you have a premium account, you can access even more detailed insights.
Why it’s unique: The ability to compare yourself to similar professionals in your network gives this tool an edge.
6. Salary.com
Why it’s useful:
This site specializes in HR-grade compensation data. It’s a favorite for employers and HR pros, but job seekers can use it too. Salary.com provides detailed compensation breakdowns, including bonuses and benefits, and allows you to build customized salary reports.
Good for: Professionals in industries like healthcare, education, and finance where structured pay scales are common.
7. Blind
Why it’s useful:
Blind is an anonymous forum where employees at top companies (especially in tech and finance) share real compensation packages, including equity and bonuses. While it’s less formal and unfiltered, it can give you candid salary benchmarks that other tools might not.
Keep in mind: Since it’s user-driven, always take posts with a grain of salt and cross-reference with other tools.
How to use salary comparison tools effectively
- Be specific: The more detailed you are about your location, title, and experience level, the more accurate your comparisons will be.
- Use multiple sources: One tool might underreport salaries; another may be too optimistic. Cross-check across at least two or three platforms.
- Track changes over time: Your market value isn’t static. These tools can help you monitor trends and stay ahead.
- Know when to leverage it: Use these tools before performance reviews, when job hunting, or even just to check in on your progress.
Final thoughts
Your salary isn’t just a number—it’s a reflection of your skills, experience, and market demand. With these comparison tools, you’re no longer guessing where you stand—you’re making informed decisions. In 2025, being proactive about understanding your worth isn’t just smart—it’s essential. Whether you’re planning your next move or preparing to negotiate, these tools are your best ally.
