What do you do if you're a supervisor and need to research salary ranges before negotiating?

1 Choose your sources

When researching salary ranges, it's important to select your sources wisely. Aim for credible and up-to-date information that reflects the job's market value, industry, and location. Online salary databases, such as PayScale, Glassdoor, or Indeed, provide average salaries and ranges based on job title, experience, education, skills, and location. You can also access professional associations, trade unions, or industry publications for salary surveys, reports, or guides about specific fields or occupations. Additionally, government agencies like the Bureau of Labor Statistics offer occupational data including median wages, employment outlooks, and regional variations. You can also get more specific data on your area from state or local labor market information sources. Networking with other supervisors or peers in your industry can provide valuable insights and feedback on salary trends and expectations.

2 Consider the factors

The second step to research salary ranges is to consider the factors that affect the value of the job and the employee. Factors such as job duties, responsibilities, and requirements, employee qualifications and achievements, and market demand and supply should be taken into account when determining a salary offer or increase. Job descriptions, performance standards, and expectations should be reviewed to determine the level of skill, knowledge, experience, education, certification, or training needed for the role. Additionally, the degree of competence, proficiency, expertise or specialization that the employee has or can demonstrate should be evaluated. Furthermore, market conditions such as availability and scarcity of qualified candidates or employees for the job, competition in the industry or sector, as well as economic and social conditions should be monitored in order to align with organizational goals and budget.

3 Set your expectations

The third step to research salary ranges is to set your expectations realistically and flexibly. You want to use a reasonable and fair range that reflects the value of the job and the employee, while also allowing for some room for negotiation. To do this, consider using a range rather than a single figure, as it provides more flexibility. Additionally, use a percentage rather than a dollar amount, as it offers consistency and transparency when calculating the salary offer or increase. Finally, use a benchmark rather than a guess, as it gives you more credibility and confidence in justifying the salary offer or increase. Researching salary ranges is an essential skill for supervisors who wish to negotiate salaries or raises effectively and confidently. By using reliable sources, relevant factors, and realistic expectations, you can ensure that you offer or increase salaries that are both fair and competitive, while also promoting a positive work environment.

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?