Calculators
Salary Benchmarking Calculator
Compare a salary with market percentiles to find its compa-ratio, approximate percentile and gap to the median.
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The tool
Enter your numbers below. Results update as you type, and nothing leaves your browser.
Everything you enter stays on your own machine. Nothing is sent to us or to anyone else, which you can confirm in your browser network tab.
What people use it for
- Annual pay reviews
- Preparing for a salary negotiation
- Checking offers against the market
- Pay equity reviews
About this tool
What the Salary Benchmarking Calculator does
Salary benchmarking compares pay with market data for the same role, level and location, usually reported as percentiles. The compa-ratio divides salary by the market median: 1.0 means pay at the median, below 0.9 often signals underpayment. This calculator also estimates where the salary sits between percentiles.
Formula
- Compa-ratio = salary ÷ market median
- Percentile is interpolated linearly between the market points
- Raise to median = (median − salary) ÷ salary
Worked example
Using the starting values in the calculator above:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Current salary | $72,000 |
| Market 25th percentile | $65,000 |
| Market median (50th) | $75,000 |
| Market 75th percentile | $86,000 |
| Market 90th percentile | $98,000 |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Compa-ratio | 0.96 |
| Approximate market percentile | 43rd (approx.) |
| Gap to the median | $3,000 |
| Raise needed to reach the median | 4.2% |
How to read the result
Benchmarks only help if the job match is right: compare the same responsibilities, level and location, not just the same title.
New hires and high performers are often positioned differently; a compa-ratio below 1 can be appropriate for someone still growing into a role.
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Questions
Questions about this tool
The things clients actually want to know — costs, timelines, ownership and what happens after launch.
Salary divided by the midpoint or median of the pay range or market rate.
Around 0.95 to 1.05 is typical for fully competent employees.
Salary surveys, compensation databases and published job postings with salary ranges.
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