:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1343671099-9c0d17d7c2474275b205f101d0b58d2b.jpg "How Does Your Salary Stack Up Against Peers in Your Industry Today? See the Insights")
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Key Takeaways
- Salary differences between industries can be dramatic, with some roles paying over twice as much as others requiring similar education levels.
- Your job title matters more than you might think; two people in the same field with different titles can see pay gaps of $30,000 or more annually.
- Location, experience, and specialized skills can increase your earnings significantly, especially in high-demand sectors like technology and healthcare.
Many people think their pay is “average,” but when you stack your salary next to people with a similar title, even in other industries, you might be in for a surprise.
Most employers set salaries based on industry trends, job title, region, and the specific skills needed. Knowing exactly where you stand, and why, is the first step to boosting your pay. Let’s see what the numbers say.
What the Numbers Actually Say About Your Pay
Your paycheck could look completely different depending on which industry you work in. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), median salaries for in-demand jobs range from around $66,000 to over $161,000 annually as of May 2024, the most recent data available.
Here’s how median salaries compare across some of the most common and fastest-growing jobs in the country:
| Job Title | Median Annual Salary | Industry/Field |
| Financial Manager | $161,700 | Finance |
| Software Developer | $133,080 | Technology |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,890 | Healthcare |
| Information Security Analyst | $124,910 | Technology/Cybersecurity |
| Data Scientist | $112,590 | Technology |
| Project Manager | $100,750 | Business/Management |
| Registered Nurse | $93,600 | Healthcare |
| Accountant | $81,680 | Finance/Business |
| Marketing Manager | $159,660 | Marketing/Business |
| Sales Representative (Wholesale & Manufacturing) | $66,780 | Sales |
Your Industry and Job Title Create the Biggest Pay Gaps
Industry choice matters enormously. Technology and health care jobs dominate the upper salary ranges for nonexecutive roles and jobs not always requiring advanced degrees, with software developers earning a median of $133,080 and nurse practitioners pulling in $130,890. Meanwhile, traditional sales roles in wholesale and manufacturing average $66,780, though specialized technical sales representatives can earn significantly more at $100,070 annually.
Within the same field, job titles can dramatically affect pay. In healthcare, nurse practitioners earn $130,890 compared with $93,600 for registered nurses, a difference of over $37,000. Both require nursing backgrounds, but the advanced practice role commands substantially higher compensation. The technology sector shows similar patterns. Software developers earn $133,080, while data scientists make $112,590.
Meanwhile, information security analysts, who are increasingly in demand due to online fraud, earn $124,910 annually, with a projected job growth rate of 29% through 2034.
Important
Cybersecurity, data science, and software development jobs are among the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S., with growth rates between 15% and 35% through 2034, far exceeding the average for all occupations.
Location and Experience Can Push Your Salary Even Higher
Where you work shapes what you earn. For example, a fundraising manager in Washington earns a median of $153,950, compared with those with the same title in Illinois, who earn a median salary of $112,340, a difference of over $41,000. Software developers in California can expect salaries well above $130,000, particularly in tech hubs like San Francisco and San Jose, but often less elsewhere in the country.
Unsurprisingly, experience raises your salary, too. According to Payscale, marketing managers with less than one year of experience earn an average of $56,643, while those with one to four years under their belt make $66,633. According to Glassdoor, project managers earn a median salary of $105,000 annually, with total pay ranging from $80,000 to $138,000.
Certifications and specialized skills can also boost your paycheck. Information security analysts with industry certifications and technical expertise can push their earnings significantly above the median, with the top 10% earning over $182,000 annually. Sales representatives who develop technical sales skills can see salary increases of up to 44%, according to industry data.
