Salary and Wages

Understanding salary and wages in the USA is essential for job seekers, employers, and remote professionals looking to work with or within the American market. Whether you’re a U.S.-based employee, a foreign worker considering a remote opportunity, or an employer planning to hire American talent, having accurate and updated information about compensation trends is crucial for informed decision-making.

Overview of Salary and Wages

In the United States, salary typically refers to a fixed annual amount paid to employees, often exempt from overtime, while wages usually refer to hourly compensation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2024, the median annual wage for all occupations is approximately $48,000, but this varies widely depending on the role, industry, experience level, and location.

High-demand fields such as technology, healthcare, finance, and engineering tend to offer significantly higher salaries, while roles in retail, hospitality, and administrative support tend to fall on the lower end of the spectrum. For example, software developers earn a median salary of over $120,000 annually, while retail cashiers average around $29,000.

Factors That Influence Pay

Several key factors influence how much someone earns in the U.S.:

• Job Title and Industry: Specialized roles, especially in STEM fields, generally command higher salaries.

• Experience and Education: More years of experience and higher education levels usually translate to higher pay.

• Geographic Location: Salaries differ dramatically by state and city due to cost of living and local demand.

• Remote vs On-site: Remote roles may offer pay parity across regions, or adjust for location.

Regional Pay Variations

Location remains one of the most influential factors in salary levels. Cities like San Francisco, New York, and Seattle offer some of the highest salaries in the country, but also come with steep living costs. In contrast, cities in the Midwest or South may offer lower salaries but also lower living expenses.

However, remote work is starting to level the playing field. Many companies are adopting location-neutral salary models or offering adjusted salaries based on an employee’s home base. This trend creates more opportunities for professionals living in traditionally lower-wage areas to access higher-paying roles.

Remote Work and Salary Expectations

The rise of remote work has transformed how employers approach compensation. Here are some emerging salary practices in remote hiring:

• Location-based pay: Employers adjust salary depending on the employee’s region.

• Value-based pay: Some companies offer equal pay regardless of location, focusing on role and impact.

• Transparent salary bands: To stay competitive and build trust, many remote-first companies publish salary ranges in their job postings.

For job seekers, this means it’s more important than ever to research the pay practices of prospective employers and understand how your location may affect your offer.

Tools to Research Salaries

Before entering negotiations or applying for a job, it’s wise to benchmark your expected salary. Here are some helpful tools:

• Glassdoor – Provides company-specific salary information.

• Payscale – Offers personalized salary reports based on your experience and location.

• BLS.gov – A reliable source for national and industry-wide wage data.

• Levels.fyi – Especially useful for tech roles and remote pay comparisons.

At Ask Remotely, we also publish regular salary guides and hiring trends to help you make informed career decisions.

Wage Laws and Worker Rights

Understanding U.S. wage laws helps protect workers from unfair practices. Here are some fundamentals:

• Federal Minimum Wage: As of 2025, the federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour, though many states and cities have set higher rates.

• Overtime Pay: Non-exempt employees must receive 1.5x pay for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek.

• Equal Pay Laws: Employers are required to provide equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender, race, or background.

Freelancers and independent contractors should note that they are not covered by minimum wage laws, so setting fair rates and negotiating terms clearly is crucial.

How Ask Remotely Can Help

At Ask Remotely, we’re dedicated to helping job seekers and businesses thrive in the remote economy. Whether you’re a digital nomad looking for competitive remote salaries or an employer seeking to hire globally, we provide:

• Remote salary benchmarking tools

• Expert negotiation tips

• Market insights on compensation trends

• Curated job listings with salary transparency

Stay empowered, stay informed, and make confident career moves, wherever you work from.

Browse our salary guides and remote job boards today to take the next step in your journey.