Know Your Worth.Get Paid What You Deserve.
Accurate salary data for 80+ occupations across 50 major US cities. Powered by official Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Welcome to SalaryMetro
SalaryMetro is your comprehensive resource for understanding wages and compensation across the United States. Whether you're negotiating a raise, planning a career change, evaluating a job offer, or researching salary trends in your industry, our platform provides the data you need to make informed decisions about your career and earnings potential.
Our salary data covers over 80 occupations across 50 major metropolitan areas, allowing you to compare wages by location and see how cost of living impacts your earning power. From entry-level positions to executive roles, we break down compensation by percentile so you can understand the full salary range for any career path.
How to Use This Data
- Compare salaries across different metro areas before relocating
- Research your occupation's pay range for salary negotiations
- Explore career paths with higher earning potential
- Understand how certifications and skills impact compensation
Data Source
All salary information comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. This official government survey collects wage data from over 1.1 million establishments nationwide, making it the most authoritative source for occupational wage data in the United States.
80+
Occupations
50
Metro Areas
72
Skills Analyzed
6,500+
Salary Pages
Browse by Career Category
View all →Healthcare
Medical and healthcare occupations including nurses, doctors, therapists, and medical technicians
Technology
Information technology and computer science occupations including developers, analysts, and IT specialists
Business & Finance
Business, finance, and management occupations including accountants, analysts, and managers
Education
Teaching and education occupations at all levels from preschool to higher education
Legal
Legal occupations including lawyers, paralegals, and court staff
Construction & Trades
Skilled trades and construction occupations including electricians, plumbers, and carpenters
Popular Careers
View all →Registered Nurse
healthcare
Software Developer
technology
Dental Hygienist
healthcare
Licensed Practical Nurse
healthcare
Bookkeeper
business & finance
Accountant
business & finance
Elementary School Teacher
education
Physician Assistant
healthcare
Top Metropolitan Areas
View all →Career Path Guides
View all →Skills & Certifications That Boost Salaries
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View all →Frequently Asked Questions
View all FAQs →What is a good salary in the United States?
A "good" salary depends on your location, occupation, experience, and personal circumstances. According to BLS data, the median annual wage for all occupations in the United States is approximately $48,060. However, cost of living varies dramatically by location. A $75,000 salary in Houston, TX provides similar purchasing power to over $115,000 in San Francisco, CA. Use our metro-specific salary data to understand what constitutes a competitive wage in your area.
How do I know if I am being paid fairly for my job?
To determine if you are paid fairly, compare your salary to the median wage for your occupation in your specific metropolitan area. If you earn above the 50th percentile (median), you earn more than half of workers in your role. Factors that justify higher pay include advanced degrees, professional certifications, specialized skills, years of experience, and performance. Our salary data shows percentile breakdowns (10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th) so you can see exactly where you fall in the pay distribution. Learn how to interpret salary percentiles.
What are the highest paying jobs in America?
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the highest paying jobs in America include Anesthesiologists (median $302,000+), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($311,460), Orthodontists ($229,380), Psychiatrists ($226,880), and Family Medicine Physicians ($211,300). Outside of healthcare, top earners include Chief Executives, Airline Pilots, Computer and Information Systems Managers, and Financial Managers. Explore high-paying careers.
Where does SalaryMetro get its salary data?
All salary data on SalaryMetro comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program. This is the most comprehensive occupational wage survey in the United States, surveying approximately 1.1 million business establishments over a three-year cycle. Unlike self-reported salary websites, BLS data comes directly from employers, making it more accurate and statistically valid. Learn more about our data sources.
How much does location affect salary?
Location significantly affects salary. The same job can pay 30-50% more in high-cost metropolitan areas like San Francisco, New York, or Boston compared to lower-cost cities. For example, a Software Developer earning $130,000 in San Francisco might earn $95,000 in Dallas for similar work. However, after accounting for cost of living differences, the Dallas salary may provide better purchasing power. Read our cost of living guide.
What does median salary mean?
Median salary is the middle value of all salaries for an occupation when arranged from lowest to highest. Half of workers earn more than the median, and half earn less. The median is generally more useful than the average (mean) because it is not skewed by extremely high or low salaries. For example, if a few executives earn millions, the average would be inflated, but the median better represents what a typical worker earns. Understand salary statistics.
Trusted Government Data
All salary data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program. This survey produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across the United States. The OEWS program is a federal-state cooperative effort that surveys approximately 1.1 million business establishments every year, collecting data on occupational employment and wages by industry and geographic area.
We present this data in an accessible format to help job seekers, employees, and employers understand wage trends and make informed decisions about careers and compensation. Our salary ranges show the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles, giving you a complete picture of what workers earn at every experience level.
Important: Salary data represents base wages and does not include bonuses, benefits, or other compensation. Actual total compensation may vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and other factors. We recommend using this data as a starting point for your salary research.