Average Salary Calculator 2026: Compare Your Pay by Job, Industry & Location
How does your salary compare to others in your field? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for all occupations in the US is approximately $48,060, but salaries vary enormously by occupation, industry, and location. Software developers earn a median of $130,160, registered nurses earn $86,070, while retail salespersons earn $33,680. Understanding where your salary falls within these ranges is essential for career planning and negotiation.
Salary data follows a distribution — the median (50th percentile) is more meaningful than the average because high earners skew the mean upward. The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program surveys over 1.1 million establishments to produce reliable wage estimates at the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles. A software developer at the 25th percentile earns about $98,000, while one at the 90th percentile earns over $198,000 — a $100,000 range within the same job title.
This calculator helps you convert any salary across pay frequencies to standardize comparisons. Whether you are benchmarking against BLS data, evaluating a job offer, or preparing for a salary negotiation, converting to consistent annual figures enables direct comparison with industry medians and percentile data.
Key Data & Statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| US Median Annual Wage (all occupations) | ~$48,060 |
| US Mean Annual Wage (all occupations) | ~$65,470 |
| Highest Paying Occupation | Anesthesiologists (~$302,970) |
| Software Developer Median | ~$130,160 |
| Registered Nurse Median | ~$86,070 |
| Accountant Median | ~$79,880 |
| Teacher (Elementary) Median | ~$61,690 |
| Highest Paying Metro | San Jose-Sunnyvale (~$82,150 median) |
Pre-Calculated Examples
| Scenario | Gross | Net / Result | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th Percentile (US) | $33,500 | $28,200 take-home | Below-median earners; entry-level and service roles |
| Median (US) | $48,060 | $38,800 take-home | 50th percentile; half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th Percentile (US) | $78,000 | $58,500 take-home | Above-median; experienced professionals |
| 90th Percentile (US) | $124,000 | $86,800 take-home | Top 10% earners; senior roles, management, tech |
Calculate Your Salary
Salary Information
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Who Uses This Calculator?
Salary benchmarking
Compare your current salary against BLS median and percentile data for your specific occupation to determine if you are underpaid, at market, or above market.
Career change evaluation
Compare average salaries across different careers you are considering to factor compensation into your career change decision alongside interest and fit.
Negotiation preparation
Arm yourself with industry-specific salary data before negotiating a raise or new offer, showing where the market rate falls for your role and experience level.
Location salary adjustment
Compare average salaries for your occupation across different metros to understand geographic pay differences and evaluate relocation opportunities.