Real-world examples of salary range examples for job titles

Real examples of salary range examples for job titles in 2024–2025

Let’s start with what you actually came for: real examples of salary range examples for job titles that are common in today’s market. These are ballpark U.S. base salary ranges drawn from 2024 data on sites like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Glassdoor, and Payscale, blended into realistic interview-ready ranges.

All ranges are annual base salary, not including bonuses or equity, and assume full-time roles in mid- to large-size companies.

Software Engineer: examples of realistic salary ranges

For a mid-level Software Engineer in a major U.S. tech hub (think San Francisco, Seattle, New York), examples of salary range examples for job titles in this category typically fall into:

• Software Engineer (3–5 years, major tech hub): about \(125,000–\)165,000
• Software Engineer (3–5 years, mid-cost city): about \(100,000–\)135,000

A candidate might phrase this in an interview like:

“Based on my research on current market rates for mid-level software engineers in this region, I’m targeting a base salary in the \(130,000 to \)150,000 range. I’m open to discussing the full compensation package, including bonus and equity.”

Why this works:

• It shows you’ve done research.
• The range is tight but flexible.
• It’s aligned with current market data; for reference, the BLS reports a 2023 median pay for software developers of about $132,930 per year in the U.S. (BLS source).

These are some of the best examples of salary range examples for job titles in tech because they reflect the ongoing demand for engineers and the premium on experience in high-cost markets.

Marketing Manager: examples of salary range examples for job titles

Marketing roles vary wildly by industry and company size, but there are still clear patterns.

For a Marketing Manager:

• Mid-level Marketing Manager (national consumer brand, major city): about \(85,000–\)115,000
• Mid-level Marketing Manager (smaller B2B company, mid-cost city): about \(70,000–\)95,000

An interview-ready example of how to present this range:

“For a marketing manager role with responsibilities like campaign strategy, budget ownership, and team coordination, I’m looking at a range of \(80,000 to \)100,000, depending on the scope of the role and performance incentives.”

According to the BLS, the median annual wage for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers was about $158,280 in 2023, but that figure is heavily skewed by senior and executive roles (BLS data). That’s why using focused, role-specific examples of salary range examples for job titles is more helpful than just repeating a national median.

HR Generalist and HR Manager: examples include people-focused roles

HR titles often sound similar but pay very differently depending on scope.

For an HR Generalist (3–5 years experience):

• Typical range in mid-sized U.S. companies: \(60,000–\)80,000

For an HR Manager (people leadership, policy ownership):

• Typical range in mid-sized U.S. companies: \(80,000–\)110,000

A candidate could say:

“For an HR Generalist role where I’m handling employee relations, benefits administration, and onboarding, I’m targeting \(70,000 to \)80,000. I’m open to discussing the full benefits package as part of that conversation.”

These are good examples of salary range examples for job titles in HR because they tie the range directly to scope: are you just executing processes, or designing and owning them?

Data Analyst and Data Scientist: best examples for analytics roles

Analytics roles are a textbook case where location and seniority matter a lot.

For a Data Analyst (2–4 years):

• Typical U.S. range: \(70,000–\)95,000

For a Data Scientist (3–6 years, strong technical stack):

• Tech hubs / high-demand markets: \(130,000–\)180,000
• Mid-cost markets / non-tech industries: \(110,000–\)145,000

A polished way to present this:

“For a mid-level data scientist role where I’m building models, owning experimentation, and partnering with product teams, I’m targeting a base range of \(135,000 to \)160,000, depending on the overall compensation mix.”

According to the BLS, the median annual wage for data scientists was about $115,240 in 2023, with higher ranges in finance and tech (BLS data). That makes these real examples of salary range examples for job titles in data science realistic for experienced candidates in competitive markets.

Project Manager: example of salary range for operations-focused roles

Project Managers exist in almost every industry, which makes them a handy example of how context shapes salary expectations.

For a Project Manager (non-technical, 3–7 years):

• Typical U.S. range: \(80,000–\)110,000

For a Technical Project Manager / IT Project Manager:

• Typical U.S. range: \(95,000–\)130,000

A candidate might say:

“For a project manager role overseeing cross-functional initiatives with budget and timeline ownership, my target range is \(90,000 to \)110,000, depending on the complexity of the projects and benefits.”

This is a clean example of salary range examples for job titles where the same title can mean very different things. In some companies, “Project Manager” is almost a coordinator; in others, it’s a strategic role with real P&L impact. Your range should match the heavier interpretation.

Product Manager: real examples from high-demand roles

Product Management continues to be one of the most in-demand and better-compensated corporate jobs.

For a Product Manager (3–6 years, software product):

• Major tech hubs / big tech: \(140,000–\)190,000 base
• Mid-sized SaaS / non-coastal markets: \(120,000–\)155,000 base

An interview-ready phrasing:

“For a product manager role with end-to-end ownership of roadmap, stakeholder alignment, and experimentation, I’m targeting a base salary in the \(140,000 to \)170,000 range, with the understanding that bonus and equity are part of the overall package.”

These are some of the best examples of salary range examples for job titles in product because they recognize that base pay is only part of the story. In 2024–2025, many PM roles still include equity, especially in tech and high-growth companies.

Registered Nurse: examples of salary range examples for job titles in healthcare

Healthcare roles have different dynamics, especially around shift differentials and overtime. Still, you can build reasonable base ranges.

For a Registered Nurse (RN) in a hospital setting, 2–5 years experience:

• Typical U.S. annualized base range: \(70,000–\)95,000

The BLS reports that registered nurses had a median annual wage of about $86,070 in 2023, with higher pay in hospitals and certain states (BLS data).

In an interview, you might say:

“Based on my experience level and the local market for hospital RNs, I’m targeting a base range of \(80,000 to \)90,000, with the understanding that shift differentials and overtime can affect total earnings.”

This is a practical example of salary range examples for job titles where hourly and annual pay intersect, and where benefits like health coverage, retirement contributions, and tuition support often carry significant value.

How to build your own examples of salary range examples for job titles

Now that you’ve seen multiple real examples, here’s how to construct your own range instead of copying someone else’s numbers.

Think of it as a three-part process: research, adjust, and package.

1. Research: start with external data

Pull data from at least two sources:

• A government or educational source, like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which publishes median wages for hundreds of occupations: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
• A market-based crowd-sourced site, such as Glassdoor, Payscale, or Salary.com, filtered by:
  • Job title
  • City or region
  • Years of experience
  • Industry (tech, healthcare, finance, non-profit, etc.)

This gives you a market window. For example, if you see most roles in your city paying between \(80,000 and \)100,000, that’s your starting point.

2. Adjust: tailor for your situation

From that window, adjust based on:

• Experience level: If you’re at the higher end of the experience range, aim toward the upper half of the window.
• Specialized skills: In-demand skills (cloud platforms, AI tools, regulatory expertise) justify higher ranges.
• Company type: Startups may pay less in base but more in equity; large corporations may pay more in base with structured bands.
• Location: Cost of living is still a major driver. A salary that feels solid in Austin might be tight in San Francisco.

This is how you turn general data into specific examples of salary range examples for job titles that actually fit your profile.

3. Package: present as a professional range

When you finally say the number out loud, keep it:

• A range, not a single number
• Aligned with your research
• Open to total compensation

For example:

“Based on my research on similar roles in this region and my experience level, I’m targeting a base salary in the \(95,000 to \)110,000 range, depending on the overall compensation package and responsibilities.”

That sentence structure works for almost any role. Swap in your own numbers and responsibilities, and you have a polished, credible answer.

2024–2025 trends that affect salary ranges

When you’re thinking about examples of salary range examples for job titles, you can’t ignore the broader trends shaping pay right now.

Remote and hybrid work

Remote work has flattened some pay differences, but not entirely. Many companies now use location-based pay bands, even for remote roles. That means:

• Someone in a high-cost city may still see higher ranges.
• Some fully remote companies have moved toward more standardized bands by country, but that’s not universal.

Inflation and cost of living

After several years of elevated inflation, many employers have adjusted ranges upward, but not always at the same pace as costs. It’s worth checking not just base pay, but also:

• Annual raise policies
• Bonus structures
• Retirement contributions

Skills-based hiring

In tech, analytics, and even some operations roles, skills matter more than titles. A “Data Analyst” doing machine learning work may be under-titled and underpaid compared to a “Data Scientist” doing similar work.

One of the best examples of salary range examples for job titles gone wrong is when a candidate accepts a low “analyst” range for what is essentially a “manager” or “specialist” level role. This is why comparing your responsibilities to external job descriptions is just as important as comparing titles.

FAQ: examples of salary range questions and answers

Q: Can you give an example of a good salary range answer in an early interview?
Yes. Here’s a clean version that fits most professional roles:

“Based on my research on similar roles in this area and my experience, I’m targeting a range of \(90,000 to \)105,000 in base salary. That said, I’m open to discussing the overall compensation package, including benefits and bonus.”

This is one of the simplest examples of salary range examples for job titles that still sounds thoughtful and flexible.

Q: How narrow should my salary range be?
Aim for a spread of about 10–20 percent. For instance, \(80,000–\)95,000 is tighter and suggests you know your value; \(80,000–\)120,000 sounds like you’re guessing.

Q: What are examples of adjusting my range for a lower-cost city?
If national data shows similar roles paying \(90,000–\)110,000, but your city’s ranges cluster around \(80,000–\)95,000, you might say:

“For this role in this market, I’m targeting \(85,000 to \)95,000, depending on the full package.”

Same job, different market, and a clear example of how location shapes salary range examples for job titles.

Q: Where can I find reliable salary data to build my own examples?
Start with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/) for official wage data by occupation. Then cross-check with:

• Glassdoor
• Payscale
• Salary.com

You can also look at published pay ranges in job postings, especially from larger employers that are now required in many states to disclose ranges.

Q: Should I ever give a single number instead of a range?
You can, but it’s usually better to give a range unless the employer has already shared a tight band. If they push for a single number, you can give the midpoint of your internal range and say something like:

“I’d be comfortable around $100,000, assuming the overall package is aligned with market standards for this role.”

That still leaves room for conversation.

Use these real examples of salary range examples for job titles as templates, not scripts. Your goal is to combine market data, your experience, and the specific role into a range that feels fair, confident, and well-researched.