How to Research Your Market Value as a Developer

You can't negotiate well without data. Here's how to build an accurate salary benchmark using public and community sources.

6 min read4 steps4 tips
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1

Start with Levels.fyi and Glassdoor

Levels.fyi is the most accurate source for tech compensation, especially for larger companies. Filter by location, years of experience, and role level.

2

Check LinkedIn Salary and Blind

LinkedIn Salary shows verified data tied to real profiles. Blind's anonymous community posts are useful for mid-size company ranges that don't appear on Levels.

3

Ask in community Slack and Discord channels

Many dev communities (e.g. Women Who Code, local tech Slacks) have dedicated salary-sharing channels. Real peer data is often more accurate than aggregated sites.

4

Factor in location, company stage, and benefits

A $120k offer from a seed-stage startup is very different from a $120k offer at a Series C company with equity, bonus, and full health coverage.

You've reached the end of this guide. Now go apply what you've learned!

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