Including pay information in your job postings is a game-changer when it comes to attracting and hiring top talent. Did you know applicants are 2x as likely to apply to a job that lists a visible wage? According to Indeed, employers that include a competitive wage in their job postings see a 24% increase in applicant flow (US average). Plus, pay info makes your jobs perform better on job boards and helps you stay compliant.
Listing pay info in your jobs:
- attracts more competitive candidates
- sets you up for healthy job board visibility
- manages expectations & saves you and your applicants time if there's not a fit
- reduces your risk of pay discrimination
- promotes transparency between your new hires and your existing team
- helps you remain compliant with pay transparency laws
⚖️ Pay transparency laws in your area |
Many US states and jurisdictions now require that job postings include a salary range. As of January 2025, statewide pay transparency laws are in effect in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawai'i, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington. Statewide laws will soon go into effect in Massachusetts and Vermont as well. Your city or locality may have its own regulations in addition to any state laws. Read more about requirements in your US location. Requirements differ in Canada. It's a good idea to check whether any provincial laws on salary transparency – or job posting language – might apply to your jobs. |
Stay informed: your area may also have legislation in place preventing you from asking about an applicant's salary history. Disclaimer: We are not lawyers and our advice should not be understood as legal counsel. |
🙌 An easy win for your job board visibility |
Job boards like Indeed are known to favor job postings that include salary information. Some job boards, like Snagajob, even create an estimated salary for your job posting if your original posting doesn't contain one. The best way to get great visibility & verified pay information is to make sure all your HigherMe jobs contain this information from the get-go! 🏁 Scroll down for tips on determining a salary & check out some of our tips on writing a top-notch job posting. |
🧐 My wages aren't that competitive. Should I still disclose? |
Yes! A competitive wage will help you source and retain great workers, but you should disclose pay information regardless. For starters, it may be a legal requirement in your area and is preferred by job board algorithms. It can also save you and your applicants time: if wage is a dealbreaker, you'll know sooner in the process and you can focus on applicants who would be able to accept the job. Another thing you can do is highlight your benefits. Is the role eligible for tips? State that up front! Or how about flexible scheduling and work/life balance? What are your shift expectations and how often/how far in advance do you share schedules? Will this role need to work weekends or holidays? Some companies offer tuition assistance, childcare options, or even time set aside for younger workers to do homework. Many of your greatest employees are balancing multiple responsibilities (school, family, commute, and more). This information helps applicants predict whether they'll be successful in this role – and that's a win for everyone! Other popular benefits include shift meals, community service/contributions, comprehensive training or career pathing, free uniforms, tuition assistance, brand ambassadorships, and more. |
💭 How to set an appropriate salary |
Trying to determine the appropriate salary range for a role? A good first step is market research. Resources like salary surveys and industry benchmarks can give you an idea of what the average salary range is for similar positions in your area. Compare these to what you're currently offering and adjust as you are able. Once you've settled on a wage, add that information to the job template. You can enter a range, a set number, a maximum, or a minimum. Make sure to indicate whether salary information is public or private. |
Even if you have provided a set number or a range, some candidates may still try to negotiate salary during their interview. Be prepared to explain how you arrived at the salary you set. Finally, keep an eye on the job market and revisit the salary range regularly so that it remains competitive ⭐️ |
Got a minute? Check out our guide to writing an effective job posting!