LinkedIn Salary Insights: How to Check & Compare Pay (2026)
Learn how to use LinkedIn Salary Insights to research pay ranges, compare salaries by location, and negotiate better offers. Complete guide with tips.
To check salary on LinkedIn, go to LinkedIn Jobs, search for your job title and location, and look for salary ranges displayed on job listings. LinkedIn Salary Insights shows estimated pay ranges based on data from 1 billion+ members and employer-provided information. You can filter by job title, location, experience level, and company size to understand your market value.
Note: LinkedIn's standalone Salary Explorer tool was discontinued in 2024. Salary data now appears directly on job listings rather than in a separate tool.
Key Takeaways
- How to access LinkedIn salary data: Go to LinkedIn Jobs, search for your role, and view salary ranges on listings—use the "Salary" filter to set minimum pay requirements
- Data sources: According to LinkedIn's Help Center, salary estimates come from anonymized member contributions and employer-provided ranges
- Salary Explorer status: The standalone Salary Explorer was sunset in 2024; salary data now appears on job listings
- Best filters for accuracy: Use specific job titles (not generic), filter by experience level, and compare multiple locations
- For negotiations: Research salary ranges before interviews and reference LinkedIn data in compensation discussions
- Alternative tools: Cross-reference with Glassdoor, PayScale, and Levels.fyi (for tech roles) for comprehensive data
What Is LinkedIn Salary Insights?
According to LinkedIn's official Help Center, LinkedIn Salary Insights is a feature that displays estimated or expected salary ranges on job listings. The data helps professionals understand their worth in the market.
How Salary Data Is Collected
LinkedIn gathers salary information from two main sources:
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| Member contributions | LinkedIn members who anonymously share their salary information |
| Employer data | Companies that provide salary ranges when posting jobs |
All member-contributed salary data is anonymous, ensuring privacy and confidentiality.
How to Access LinkedIn Salary Insights
Method 1: Through Job Listings
The most common way to see salary data:
- Go to LinkedIn Jobs
- Search for your target job title and location
- Look for jobs displaying salary ranges
- Click on listings to see detailed pay information
Many job postings now include salary ranges either provided by the employer or estimated by LinkedIn.
Method 2: Through Job Search Filters
- Perform a job search on LinkedIn
- Use the "Salary" filter to set a minimum salary range
- Results will show jobs meeting your salary requirements
Method 3: Explore Salary Data by Title
- Search for a specific job title (e.g., "Software Engineer")
- Review the salary insights shown in search results
- Compare ranges across different companies and locations
Understanding Salary Data on LinkedIn
What the Numbers Mean
According to LinkedIn's Salary Insights documentation, salary data is typically presented as:
- Base salary range: Minimum to maximum expected pay
- Median salary: The middle point of reported salaries
- Additional compensation: Bonuses, equity, and benefits when available
Factors That Affect Salary Data
| Factor | Impact on Displayed Salary |
|---|---|
| Location | Salaries vary significantly by city and cost of living |
| Experience level | Entry, mid, senior positions have different ranges |
| Company size | Larger companies often pay more for same roles |
| Industry | Tech, finance typically pay more than nonprofit |
LinkedIn Salary Updates in 2024-2026
According to LinkedIn's product updates, several changes have affected how salary data works:
What Changed
Salary Explorer Sunset: The standalone Salary Explorer tool, which relied on member-extracted data, was discontinued. LinkedIn shifted focus to:
- Job listing salary data
- Employer-provided salary ranges
- Updated estimation algorithms
New Focus Areas:
- More accurate job-specific salary data
- Better location-based adjustments
- Enhanced employer transparency requirements
Why These Changes Matter
Many regions now require salary transparency in job postings. LinkedIn adapted by:
- Encouraging employers to post salary ranges
- Estimating salaries when not provided
- Improving data accuracy through machine learning
How to Use Salary Insights for Negotiations
Before the Interview
- Research the role: Search for similar job titles
- Note the range: Document low, median, and high salaries
- Consider location: Adjust for cost of living differences
- Check company size: Larger companies may have different pay scales
During Negotiations
According to Blue Gift Digital's analysis, having salary data helps you:
- Set realistic expectations with data backing
- Counter lowball offers with market evidence
- Understand your worth compared to peers
- Negotiate from a position of knowledge
Sample Negotiation Script
"Based on my research of similar roles on LinkedIn, the market rate for this position in [location] ranges from $X to $Y. Given my [X years of experience] and [specific skills], I believe $Z is appropriate."
Comparing Salaries Across Locations
LinkedIn Salary Insights allows geographic comparisons:
How to Compare
- Search for the same job title in different cities
- Note the salary ranges for each location
- Factor in cost of living differences
- Consider remote work possibilities
Example Comparison
| Location | Software Engineer Salary Range |
|---|---|
| San Francisco | $150,000 - $220,000 |
| Austin | $120,000 - $180,000 |
| Remote | $130,000 - $200,000 |
Note: These are illustrative examples. Always check current LinkedIn data for accurate figures.
LinkedIn Salary vs Other Salary Tools
How LinkedIn Compares
| Feature | Glassdoor | PayScale | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data source | Members + employers | User reviews | Surveys |
| Job-specific data | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Company-specific | Yes | Yes | Some |
| Free access | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| Integration with jobs | Native | Separate | Separate |
When to Use Each
- LinkedIn: Best for job-specific research during active job searching
- Glassdoor: Good for company culture and salary reviews combined
- PayScale: Useful for detailed compensation reports
Tips for Getting Accurate Salary Data
1. Use Specific Job Titles
Generic titles give vague results. Be specific:
- ❌ "Manager" → ✅ "Product Marketing Manager"
- ❌ "Engineer" → ✅ "Senior Backend Engineer"
- ❌ "Director" → ✅ "Director of Sales Operations"
2. Filter by Experience Level
Entry-level and senior roles have vastly different pay. Always filter by your experience level for relevant data.
3. Consider Total Compensation
Base salary is just one component. Look for information on:
- Annual bonuses
- Stock options or RSUs
- Benefits value
- Signing bonuses
4. Cross-Reference Multiple Sources
Don't rely solely on LinkedIn. Check:
- Glassdoor salary reports
- Levels.fyi (for tech roles)
- Industry salary surveys
- Recruiter insights
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find salary information on LinkedIn?
To find salary information on LinkedIn, go to LinkedIn Jobs and search for your target job title and location. Salary ranges appear directly on job listings—either employer-provided or LinkedIn-estimated. Use the "Salary" filter in job search to find positions within your desired pay range. For more comprehensive research, search the same role across multiple companies and locations to understand market rates.
Is LinkedIn Salary Insights accurate?
LinkedIn Salary Insights accuracy varies by role and location. Data is most reliable for common positions in major metropolitan markets where more data points exist. According to LinkedIn's documentation, estimates combine member-contributed data and employer information. For the most accurate picture, cross-reference LinkedIn with Glassdoor, PayScale, and Levels.fyi (for tech roles).
What happened to LinkedIn Salary Explorer in 2024?
LinkedIn's standalone Salary Explorer tool was discontinued in 2024 as part of product updates. The platform shifted focus to displaying salary data directly on job listings rather than through a separate exploration tool. You can still research salaries by searching for jobs on LinkedIn and viewing the salary ranges shown on individual listings. Many postings now include employer-provided salary ranges due to increased transparency requirements.
Does LinkedIn show salary for all jobs?
No, LinkedIn doesn't show salary for all jobs. Salary ranges appear when employers provide them or when LinkedIn has enough data to estimate. According to increasing salary transparency laws in states like California, Colorado, and New York, more employers are required to post salary ranges. Jobs without salary data typically have fewer applicants—look for the salary filter to find positions with disclosed compensation.
Can I compare salaries across different cities on LinkedIn?
Yes, compare salaries across cities by searching for the same job title in different locations. LinkedIn shows location-adjusted salary ranges based on local market data. For example, search "Software Engineer" in San Francisco, then Austin, then remote positions to compare ranges. Factor in cost of living differences—a $150K salary in San Francisco may have less purchasing power than $120K in Austin.
How can I use LinkedIn salary data for negotiation?
Use LinkedIn salary data for negotiation by researching your target role before interviews. Document the low, median, and high salary ranges for your position, location, and experience level. During negotiations, reference this data: "Based on LinkedIn market data for [role] in [city], the range is $X to $Y. Given my experience with [specific skills], I'm targeting $Z." This positions your ask as market-based rather than arbitrary. For more career positioning tips, see our guide on building your LinkedIn personal brand.
Is LinkedIn Premium required to see salary data?
No, LinkedIn Premium is not required to see salary data on job listings. Basic (free) LinkedIn members can view salary ranges displayed on jobs. Premium does provide additional features like seeing how your salary compares to other applicants and access to more detailed insights, but the core salary data on job listings is available to everyone.
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