About GetSalaryPulse

Our Mission

Salary information has historically been opaque, scattered, and often paywalled. GetSalaryPulse exists to change that. We believe every job seeker deserves free access to accurate, up-to-date salary data — adjusted for where they actually live.

What Makes Us Different

Our Data Sources

We combine multiple authoritative data sources to give you the most complete picture:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) survey covering 800+ job titles
• Numbeo — Cost of living indices for 400+ cities worldwide
• US Census Bureau — Population and income context by metro area
• BLS CPI Data — Historical salary trends over 5 years

How We Calculate Salaries

Our salary figures start with BLS national averages, then apply city-specific cost of living adjustments to show both nominal and effective purchasing power. The effective salary shows what your compensation is actually worth in that city compared to the national average.

For example, a Software Engineer earning $156,000 in San Francisco has an effective purchasing power of $80,412 — because San Francisco's cost of living is 94% above the national average. The same engineer in Austin earning $135,000 has an effective purchasing power of $114,406.

How We Make Money

GetSalaryPulse is free to use and always will be. We generate revenue through:

• Display advertising — via Google AdSense
• Affiliate partnerships — we earn a commission when you sign up for services like Coursera courses or Resume.io. This never affects our data or editorial independence.

Data Accuracy Disclaimer

While we strive for accuracy, salary data changes over time. BLS data is updated annually (released each May). City-level figures are estimates based on national data adjusted for local cost of living. For the most current and role-specific data, always supplement with recent job postings and direct employer conversations.