Question 1

Is GetHigherIncome really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes, completely free. No hidden fees, no premium tiers, no credit card required. We believe workers deserve free access to the same labor market data that employers use to set salaries.

Question 2

Where does the salary data come from?

Accepted Answer

All salary data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, which surveys over 1.1 million establishments annually. This is the same data used by HR departments, compensation analysts, and government agencies.

Question 3

How accurate is the market value comparison?

Accepted Answer

Our comparisons use official BLS data with a 95% confidence level. The data represents actual wages paid to workers, not self-reported estimates. However, individual circumstances (specific skills, company size, industry niche) can create variation from median values.

Question 4

How often is the data updated?

Accepted Answer

BLS OEWS data is updated annually (typically May release). BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (career projections) updates biennially. Inflation rates and wage growth tracker data update in real-time from Federal Reserve sources.

Question 5

Should I negotiate my salary?

Accepted Answer

Yes. According to Mercer's 2025/2026 Compensation Planning Survey, promotions average an 8.7% pay increase, while the Atlanta Fed Wage Growth Tracker (Feb 2026) shows job switchers earn 4.7% wage growth vs 3.6% for stayers. Negotiation is one of the highest-ROI career actions you can take.

Question 6

How much of a raise should I ask for?

Accepted Answer

Use our market data as your anchor. If you're below the median for your occupation and location, asking to move toward the median (10-20% increase) is data-backed. For promotions, Mercer data shows 8.7% is typical. Always tie your request to market rates, business value delivered, and comparable role compensation.

Question 7

When should I change jobs vs negotiate a raise?

Accepted Answer

Job switchers earn 4.7% wage growth vs 3.6% for stayers (Atlanta Fed, Feb 2026). If you're significantly underpaid compared to market rates and internal negotiations haven't worked, switching jobs often delivers faster salary correction. However, consider total compensation, career trajectory, and work-life balance—not just base salary.

Question 8

What careers have the highest growth projections?

Accepted Answer

According to BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, healthcare (nurse practitioners, physician assistants), technology (software developers, data scientists), and renewable energy sectors show strongest 10-year growth projections. Use our career explorer to compare 98 occupations' growth rates, median pay, and education requirements.

Question 9

Does ATS really auto-reject resumes?

Accepted Answer

No. The Enhancv Recruiter Study (2025) found that 92% of recruiters confirm ATS does NOT auto-reject resumes. ATS systems help recruiters organize applications—they don't automatically disqualify candidates. However, optimizing for keywords still helps recruiters find your resume faster.

Question 10

How important are referrals?

Accepted Answer

Extremely important. Robert Half's Networking Nation Report (May 2025) found that 54% of workers got their job through a personal or professional connection. Jobvite data shows referred candidates are hired at 30% vs 7% for job board applicants. Referrals bypass the noise and get your resume directly to decision-makers.

Question 11

What education level do I need for a high-paying career?

Accepted Answer

It varies by field. BLS data shows many six-figure careers require bachelor's degrees (software developer, financial analyst), while others require associate degrees (dental hygienist, radiation therapist) or apprenticeships (elevator installer, power plant operator). Use our career explorer to filter by education level and see realistic salary expectations.

Question 12

How does inflation affect my real wages?

Accepted Answer

Inflation erodes purchasing power. If you get a 3% raise but inflation is 4%, your real wage decreased by 1%. The Atlanta Fed Wage Growth Tracker adjusts for inflation to show real wage growth. Always compare your raise to current inflation rates—if your raise doesn't exceed inflation, you're effectively taking a pay cut.

Question 13

Can I use GetHigherIncome if I'm not in the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

Our data is specific to U.S. labor markets (BLS only covers U.S. occupations and regions). However, the negotiation frameworks, job search strategies, and career planning principles apply universally. International users can adapt our frameworks using local labor market data from their country's statistics bureau.

Question 14

What is the LinkedIn referral strategy?

Accepted Answer

Our LinkedIn referral strategy (detailed in the blog) leverages the fact that 54% of workers get jobs through connections. Step 1: Identify target companies. Step 2: Search "[Company] [Role]" on LinkedIn. Step 3: Message 2nd-degree connections for informational interviews. Step 4: Ask for referrals after building rapport. Referred candidates have 4x higher hire rates than cold applicants.

Question 15

How do I build credit to improve my financial situation?

Accepted Answer

Our Credit Playbook blog post covers this in depth. Key steps: (1) Get a secured credit card or become an authorized user, (2) Keep utilization under 30%, (3) Pay on time every month, (4) Don't close old accounts, (5) Diversify credit types over time. Good credit (700+) unlocks lower interest rates, saving thousands on mortgages and loans—freeing up money to invest in career growth.

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