Editorial methodology

Every SalaryCheck guide and tool output is grounded in primary compensation sources — Bureau of Labor Statistics data, state pay-transparency law text, and aggregated public salary disclosures from pay-transparency states. We don't cite recruiter-survey statistics with unverifiable methodology, and we don't fabricate specific industry averages.

Primary sources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Employment Cost Index, regional wage data.
• State pay-transparency laws — California, Colorado, New York, Washington, Illinois (and others) — for posted salary range data and disclosure requirements.
• U.S. Department of Labor — Wage and Hour Division guidance on overtime, exempt/nonexempt classification.
• Federal Reserve regional wage and inflation data for cost-of-living comparisons.
• Industry compensation surveys where methodology is published (we cite, link, and date them; we don't quote unverifiable single-number claims).

Review process

1. Salary ranges referenced in tool output are pulled from BLS OEWS data and regional adjustments based on Federal Reserve cost-of-living data.
2. Negotiation scripts are starting templates; we do not guarantee outcomes.
3. State-specific rules (pay transparency requirements, equal pay laws, ban-the-box) are cited to statute and dated.
4. Guides are reviewed at least annually; the review date appears in the editorial block at the bottom.

What we explicitly don't do

• ×We don't fabricate average-raise statistics or '82% of recruiters' style claims without verifiable sources.
• ×We don't promise specific raise outcomes — the tool gives you data and language; the conversation is yours.
• ×We don't offer career or financial advice — for individual decisions, consult a licensed advisor.

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