A source-first salary research checklist
Collect comparable evidence before discussing compensation.
Understand the distinction
Record the role, location, seniority, employment type, currency, publication date, and whether figures mean base or total compensation. Official labor statistics, current job postings, and transparent surveys answer different questions.
Put it into practice
Use a worksheet to compare sources and document limitations. This page supplies a research method rather than salary numbers because no current, role-specific dataset has been verified for this publication.
Check your conclusion
Explain what your evidence supports and what it does not. Revisit the original question before adding more detail. Where the answer depends on an employer, source, or local practice, check that context directly rather than treating general advice as a universal rule.
Keep a short record of your decision and the information behind it. This makes it easier to update your application or preparation when your circumstances change.
Questions worth asking
Can this guarantee an interview or offer?+
No. This is an educational method for improving preparation. Employer decisions depend on factors beyond the document or tool.