Step 2: Use the BLS Wage Data to find your fair wage
Once you’ve determined which SOC code is the best match for your job, it’s time to look up your fair wage in the BLS wage data. First, go to the BLS wage data web page (link is below). Next, select your state to get the most accurate information. Once you’re on your state page, there are 2 ways to search for your SOC code:
Method 1: Using a text search on the web page
Option A (preferred): Scroll to the top of the data table and enter your SOC code in the box at the top of the table that says “Text search table.” Your average wage data will be displayed immediately after entering your SOC code.
Option B: Use “CTRL F” on your keyboard or the “Find on page” feature on your phone or tablet to bring up a search window that will let you search for the SOC code in the text on the entire web page.
Important note:
Both of these methods will give you just the average wage data. To obtain a more accurate wage, look up your SOC code in the spreadsheet using Method 2. It’s provides more detail, such as the hourly and annual 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentile wages. This additional information will help you better delineate wages based on experience levels, for instance, the more experience, the higher in the wage range you can expect to be.
Method 2: Using the spreadsheet
Download the spreadsheet of BLS wage data. This spreadsheet contains the data for the entire U.S., so you’ll have to delete everything except the data for your state. You can then search for the SOC code within your spreadsheet program. Using “CTRL F” should work there too.
Download the spreadsheet from the BLS website: Here’s a link to the entire U.S. spreadsheet of BLS wage data directly on the BLS website. It’s the latest version, which is from May of 2021: downloadable XLS file. It’s a compressed .zip file, so you’ll have to un-compress it first.
Download the spreadsheet from this website: For those not familiar with un-compressing files, here’s a link to the un-compressed version: state_M2021_dl.xlsx. Here’s the same spreadsheet formatted for ease-of-use. It has locked headings, and only the most important data is visible so you can have a single screen view without scrolling: National BLS Wage Data – by-state_M2021_dl.xlsx
Go to the BLS wage data by state web page
This is a screenshot of the BLS web page where you can access state data. Use the link below to go to their website, then select your state.
This is a screenshot. After you get to the web page, scroll down to the “Text search table” box to enter your SOC code.
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It’s always good to know that people are benefiting from your work or if they’re having trouble using your website. If this helps you, please take a minute to send me a note. If you’re having difficulty, please let me know that, too, and be as specific as possible to help me make improvements. I’d also be interested to know how much of a difference there was in what your actual pay is versus what it should be.
If you have a suggestion for something I should add to the website, I’d love to hear that, too!
Best of luck in earning what you’re worth. You deserve it!
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