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Salary.com VS PayScale

Compare Salary.com VS PayScale and see what are their differences

Salary.com logo Salary.com

A compensation and human resource management solutions application.

PayScale logo PayScale

PayScale is an online salary, benefits and compensation information platform.
  • Salary.com Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-20
  • PayScale Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-06

Salary.com features and specs

  • Comprehensive Salary Data
    Salary.com provides an extensive range of salary data across various industries and roles, which can help users make informed decisions regarding their careers.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The website offers a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to find salary information and other related resources.
  • Personalized Salary Reports
    Users can generate personalized salary reports by inputting specific data about their job and location, providing more accurate and relevant information.
  • Additional Career Resources
    In addition to salary data, Salary.com offers various resources such as job postings, resume tips, and career advice, which can be beneficial for job seekers.
  • Employer Tools
    Employers can use Salary.com's compensation management tools to design comprehensive compensation plans and benchmark salaries against market rates.

Possible disadvantages of Salary.com

  • Premium Features
    Some advanced features and detailed reports require a paid subscription, which might not be suitable for all users.
  • Data Reliability
    While the salary data is generally comprehensive, its accuracy can vary depending on the source and the sample size used to derive the statistics.
  • Limited International Data
    Salary.com primarily focuses on U.S. salary data, which might be a limitation for users seeking information about salaries in other countries.
  • Occasional Outdated Data
    Some of the salary data might not be updated in real-time, leading to occasional discrepancies in the latest salary trends and figures.
  • Complex Navigation for Specific Data
    While the interface is generally user-friendly, finding very specific or niche salary data can sometimes be cumbersome.

PayScale features and specs

  • Comprehensive Database
    PayScale offers a large and comprehensive database of salary information across various industries and job roles, which helps users make informed decisions about their career and compensation packages.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The website is designed with a user-friendly interface that facilitates easy navigation and quick access to relevant tools and information.
  • Custom Salary Reports
    PayScale provides customized salary reports based on specific criteria such as job title, location, experience, and education, offering detailed insights into expected compensation.
  • Free Basic Information
    Users can access basic salary information for free, which is helpful for initial research and general understanding of market trends.
  • Employer Solutions
    PayScale offers a range of solutions for employers, including compensation management software and analytics, which aid businesses in developing competitive and fair compensation strategies.
  • Salary Negotiation Guidance
    The platform provides resources and advice on salary negotiation, empowering users to confidently discuss compensation with potential or current employers.

Possible disadvantages of PayScale

  • Subscription Cost
    Access to some detailed reports and advanced analytics requires a subscription, which might be expensive for individual users or small businesses.
  • Data Accuracy
    As PayScale relies on user-reported data, there can be inconsistencies and potential inaccuracies in the salary information provided.
  • Limited Free Features
    The free features available on PayScale are limited, which might necessitate upgrading to a paid plan to access more comprehensive data and tools.
  • Complexity for Beginners
    The range of features and tools available can be overwhelming for first-time users or those not familiar with compensation analysis.
  • Dependence on Active User Participation
    The accuracy and comprehensiveness of PayScale's data depend on active user participation, which can be affected by regional or industry-specific engagement levels.

Analysis of Salary.com

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Salary.com is considered a reliable and useful tool for those seeking detailed insights into salary benchmarks and compensation practices. While there are other similar platforms available, Salary.com often stands out due to its comprehensiveness and user-friendly interface.

Why this product is good

  • Salary.com is a well-regarded resource for salary information and compensation data. It provides salary reports, compensation tools, and other resources that can help individuals and organizations understand market trends and negotiate pay. The platform is known for its extensive database of salary data that is regularly updated, providing users with accurate information relevant to a wide range of industries and job positions.

Recommended for

  • Job seekers looking to negotiate better salaries
  • HR professionals seeking industry salary data
  • Organizations aiming to create competitive compensation packages
  • Individuals curious about market trends in various job sectors

Analysis of PayScale

Overall verdict

  • PayScale is a reliable and well-regarded resource for salary information and compensation analysis. It is especially beneficial for those seeking updated and accurate data to negotiate salaries or to benchmark positions within their organization.

Why this product is good

  • PayScale is considered good by many users because it provides comprehensive salary data and compensation insights that help individuals and employers make informed decisions. It offers a user-friendly interface, customizable reports, and detailed analysis based on industry, location, and experience.

Recommended for

  • Job seekers looking to understand salary expectations for their desired roles.
  • HR professionals seeking benchmarks for compensation packages.
  • Employers aiming to ensure competitive and fair compensation for employees.
  • Individuals interested in market trends and financial planning.

Salary.com videos

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PayScale videos

PayScale Overview

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Salary.com and PayScale)
HR
46 46%
54% 54
HR Tools
40 40%
60% 60
Job Boards
57 57%
43% 43
Employee Compensation
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Salary.com should be more popular than PayScale. It has been mentiond 336 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Salary.com mentions (336)

  • Asking for Raise to Market Rate
    I would like to know what kind of raise is reasonable to ask for when we have the conversation about my role in the next couple of months. Based on my research (via salary.com & similar sites), a Financial Analyst in my area averages around $65k (50th percentile). And that is "entry level". So I am already a bit behind. The avg salary of an FA II is around $76k in my area. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Graphic Design major in college. After doing research the pay for GD isn't the best & I wanted more pay by going into 3D Art or Digital Illustration. I also enjoy those more then GD, however I have just realized this after sticking 3 years with GD... Should I just switch while I can?
    In further context, I also enjoy creating 3D models more & have experience creating digital art as well. I have found those 2 things much more enjoyable than making logos and or posters in the form of "graphic design." Not to mention those 2 jobs mentioned pay more on average. (According to Indeed, Google, Salary.com, etc.). Source: over 1 year ago
  • Are Salary.com and TopResume legit?
    And, I accidentally checked yes to the free resume evaluation offered by TopResume (salary.com has a partnership with TopResume), and it seems like they took the resume file that I submitted for the application, which also contains my cover letter and two letters of recommendation. I noticed I made this mistake after checking my email that my resume is under review by TopResume for feedback. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Career advice on pmp would be appreciated
    Try salary.com, glassdoor.com, indeed.com and LinkedIn for starters to gain insight on salaries of the same of similar role that interests you. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • This is Yasir Al-Rumayyan's idea of a "merger"
    In entities with comparable revenue, you can use a source like salary.com and do a side by side evaluation of the role. In the majority of cases, the PGA paid over 100% when you factored in salary, bonuses, retirement, etc. Source: almost 2 years ago
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PayScale mentions (86)

  • Varonis
    Some research on glassdoor and payscale.com tell me that the pay for entry-level tech support will be around 23k. Sorry I can't be any more help than that. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Cloud Computing or Cyber
    You will likely get a better sense for what the wages look like at someplace like payscale.com, or perhaps glassdoor.com. Last time I checked a year or so ago, cloud computing engineers made 10-15% more than cybersecurity specialists, but it definitely depends on areas of specialization. No clue about the saturation of the market for cybersecurity, except the anecdotal evidence that a friend of mine who is a... Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Can I get job by learning CAD?
    CAD also boosts career chances. CAD designers, drafters, engineers, and consultants can work. CAD professionals earn well. CAD designers in India earn between INR 3 LPA and INR 12 LPA, based on experience and expertise, according to payscale.com. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Need some help with pay
    There are a few websites like payscale.com out there that can help you answer these questions. Source: about 2 years ago
  • My 8 months pregnant breadwinning wife built this company’s website and is being slowly replaced because she’s about to need extended leave
    Your wife needs to apply for other jobs and go on a site like payscale.com to get a good sense of what she should realistically ask for based on her experience, certifications, and where you're both living. Or heck, just look at sites like indeed.com where there's a higher rate of job postings that have salary information. Source: about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Salary.com and PayScale, you can also consider the following products

Levels.fyi - Compare career levels across software eng and other fields

CompensationXL - Flexible, Affordable, Compensation Planning Automation

Payfactors - Payfactors is a cloud-based compensation management software built using revolutionary technology. Request a demo to learn more!

Talentsoft - Talentsoft puts employees’ professional growth at the heart of your company’s HR processes with flexible cloud-based talent-management and digital learning software.

Paycom - Paycom is a Human Capital Management system that helps companies manage the complete employment life cycle, from recruitment to retirement.

CuroComp - CuroComp increases compensation transparency through a total compensation management platform.