Salary Information
To determine what a competitive entry-level salary for your area is, we would recommend the following sources. By comparing your current entry-level salary to what is listed in your geographical area, you can determine how competitive your salaries are.
1. Using the link above, select the geographic area that is closest to you.
2. Scroll through the list of jobs and find one that most closely represents your position. This report lists the average salary, entry-level salaries, and middle range for each job.
3. Take the appropriate percentage of the entry-level salary listed.
Example:
You find that the entry-level salary for civil engineers in Boise is $24.12/hr. If you want to hire a senior-level student for your CE internship, a competitive salary would be $19.30-$20.50/hr.
(.80 x 24.12 - .85 x 24.12)
Salaries from other States: Bureau of Labor Statistics
(Salary data for each state)
1. Using the link above, select the state and occupational group that your job falls in.
2. Find the occupation that most closely fits your job. This report typically lists the mean or average salary, along with the median (midpoint). By clicking on the actual job link, you can get more salary data. Including the salaries for the bottom percentage of workers and top salaries for that job.
3. Assuming that the bottom salaries may be a closer representation of entry-level salaries, you should be able to estimate a competitive salary for that state. Using the percentages listed on the previous page, calculate your internship salary.
Salaries from Major Metropolitan Areas within Each State: Bureau of Labor Statistics
(Salaries from larger cities within each state)
1. Using the link above, select the state and city/geographical area you are researching.
2. Open the report that corresponds to your city and scroll down to the table that lists salaries by occupation (you may have to scroll down several pages).
3. These reports typically list the mean or average salary for each occupation rather than the entry-level salary. You will need to estimate an entry-level salary using the mean salary.
Salaries from non-Metropolitan Areas within Each State: Bureau of Labor Statistics
(Salaries from the smaller cities or geographic areas)
1. Using the link above, select the state and town/geographical area that is closest to the area you are researching.
2. Select the occupational group that your job falls and the occupation that most closely matches your job.
3. This report typically lists the mean or average salary, along with the median (midpoint). However, by clicking on the individual job link, you can find more salary data. Including the salaries for the bottom percentage of workers and top salaries for that job.
4. Assuming that the bottom salaries may be a closer representation of entry-level salaries, you should be able to estimate a competitive salary for that state. Using the percentages listed on the previous page, calculate your internship salary.
Seniors: 80-85% of entry-level salary
Juniors: 70-75% of entry-level salary
Sophomores: 60-75% of entry level salary
1. Using the link above, select the geographic area that is closest to you.
2. Scroll through the list of jobs and find one that most closely represents your position. This report lists the average salary, entry-level salaries, and middle range for each job.
3. Take the appropriate percentage of the entry-level salary listed.
Example:
You find that the entry-level salary for civil engineers in Boise is $24.12/hr. If you want to hire a senior-level student for your CE internship, a competitive salary would be $19.30-$20.50/hr.
(.80 x 24.12 - .85 x 24.12)
Salaries from other States: Bureau of Labor Statistics
(Salary data for each state)
1. Using the link above, select the state and occupational group that your job falls in.
2. Find the occupation that most closely fits your job. This report typically lists the mean or average salary, along with the median (midpoint). By clicking on the actual job link, you can get more salary data. Including the salaries for the bottom percentage of workers and top salaries for that job.
3. Assuming that the bottom salaries may be a closer representation of entry-level salaries, you should be able to estimate a competitive salary for that state. Using the percentages listed on the previous page, calculate your internship salary.
Salaries from Major Metropolitan Areas within Each State: Bureau of Labor Statistics
(Salaries from larger cities within each state)
1. Using the link above, select the state and city/geographical area you are researching.
2. Open the report that corresponds to your city and scroll down to the table that lists salaries by occupation (you may have to scroll down several pages).
3. These reports typically list the mean or average salary for each occupation rather than the entry-level salary. You will need to estimate an entry-level salary using the mean salary.
Salaries from non-Metropolitan Areas within Each State: Bureau of Labor Statistics
(Salaries from the smaller cities or geographic areas)
1. Using the link above, select the state and town/geographical area that is closest to the area you are researching.
2. Select the occupational group that your job falls and the occupation that most closely matches your job.
3. This report typically lists the mean or average salary, along with the median (midpoint). However, by clicking on the individual job link, you can find more salary data. Including the salaries for the bottom percentage of workers and top salaries for that job.
4. Assuming that the bottom salaries may be a closer representation of entry-level salaries, you should be able to estimate a competitive salary for that state. Using the percentages listed on the previous page, calculate your internship salary.