Salary Checks

Actual wage data is used to develop the Salary Check. These wages are provided by visitors to the WageIndicator websites. Because of this, WageIndicator can provide precise and updated salary information for different occupations. The quality of the Salary Check increases with the growing popularity of the WageIndicator websites and the number of submitted surveys. The tool is updated twice a year.

Data Collection

WageIndicator collects data by means of voluntary web-based surveys available at national WageIndicator sites. The survey questionnaires are similar to those used by statistical agencies for standard labor force surveys. They are user-friendly and consist of multiple-choice questions only, except for the question regarding income. The collected data is anonymized and subject to strict security measures, safeguarding the privacy of the participating individual.

DAta Reliability

The wage information used for the calculation of Salary Checks is based on voluntarily submitted data. Therefore, 100% accuracy cannot and will not be guaranteed. WageIndicator encourages its respondents to provide accurate and precise information about their personal and employment characteristics, pointing out that they provide their professional peers and themselves with an improved salary tool.

Before calculation, the dataset is cleaned and compared to other relevant datasets applying universally accepted statistical methods. In this way, WageIndicator eliminates from its datasets most non-trustworthy cases, such as extremely high or low wages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more by consulting WageIndicator's Salary Check FAQs, such as:

WHY DOES THE SALARY CHECK INDICATE A FAR HIGHER/LOWER SALARY THAN MY ACTUAL ONE?

The Salary Check predicts one’s wage for a given profile of individual characteristics. It answers the question how much an individual of given characteristics can expect to earn. Clearly, the quality of the prediction depends on the accuracy of information entered into the Salary Check.

First of all, it is very important that respondents correctly report their occupation. WageIndicator has a database containing 1,700 occupations. Although some occupational titles are almost similar, they may differ substantially in the tasks and duties performed. If the wage information in the Salary Check does not match one's current salary, it is possible that one has not chosen the proper occupation.

WageIndicator tries to capture the most important determinants of wages, but discrepancies between one's actual and predicted wages may remain due to factors not covered by the Salary Check. If one's salary is higher than that reported by the Salary Check, the person in question may have specific characteristics or talents that have been rewarded in the labour market and have remained outside the scope of the WageIndicator. Conversely, if one's salary is lower than that predicted, this may point to underpayment and be an impetus to look for another job. Alternatively, it may be that the respondent’s employer offers benefits that compensate for the lower pay such as free child care or other secondary benefits.

Check out all Salary Check FAQs

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