research-compensation

name	research-compensation
category	get-hired
description	Research compensation using comparable scope, location, level, currency, and total-reward evidence with transparent uncertainty. Use when setting expectations, evaluating an offer, or preparing a negotiation.

research-compensation

Compare like with like before quoting a range.

When to use

• Use for salary, hourly pay, contract rates, commission, bonus, or total compensation.
• Treat public estimates as evidence with provenance, not guaranteed entitlement.

Procedure

1. Define role family, responsibilities, level, management scope, skills, industry, company stage, location, work arrangement, and employment type.
2. Collect dated ranges from official postings, government data, reputable surveys, professional groups, recruiters, and relevant peers.
3. Record source, sample, date, currency, pay period, geography, inclusion of bonus or equity, and known bias.
4. Normalize base pay to one annual or hourly basis and convert currency using a dated rate.
5. Separate base, cash incentive, commission, equity, retirement, health, leave, allowances, and one-time payments.
6. Adjust comparisons for scope, hours, level, location, company type, and risk without pretending to precise certainty.
7. Use a distribution or low-mid-high band, not one average.
8. Compare the target package against several plausible scenarios and personal thresholds.
9. Cite the sources and state where evidence is sparse or stale.

Failure plan

• If sources mix incomparable roles or total-compensation definitions, split the dataset rather than averaging them.
• If market evidence is thin, widen uncertainty and prioritize written role scope.

Done

• A compensation evidence table contains normalized comparable data, source provenance, dates, definitions, and limitations
• A reasoned range separates pay components and explains role, location, level, currency, and uncertainty assumptions