How to Compare Starting Salaries

Careers in demand pay higher starting salaries.

Starting salaries help prospective employees determine which job offers will best suit their career goals. Starting salaries vary based on the general state of the economy, career demand, job location and education.

Geography

Compare starting salaries for your chosen profession based on where each job opportunity is located. Generally speaking, starting salaries for jobs in large urban areas are higher than those in small towns and rural areas. When comparing starting salaries by geographic region, consider the cost of living to make sure the salary you accept covers the cost of essentials like housing, utilities and transportation.

Demand

Profession demand, or lack thereof, can be linked to geographic location or to economic trends. For example, although it may seem counterintuitive, demand for health professionals and K-12 teachers can be higher in suburban and rural areas than in urban areas where large numbers of experienced employees already practice those professions. Starting salaries for in-demand careers often include incentives such as signing bonuses.

Benefits

Benefits play an important role in starting salaries. Some companies calculate benefits such as health care, dental and vacation and include their value as part of initial job offers. Job seekers should compare job descriptions when comparing salaries. Salaries for positions with the same title could be misleadingly similar if one job requires more work and a greater time commitment than the other.

References

• Jobweb: Starting Salary Expectations
• National Association of Colleges and Employers: Starting Salary Offers to College Class of 2010 Decline