Levels.fyi review
Salary and compensation data for technology roles by company, level and city, built largely from user submissions. Useful for negotiation, with self-reported data limits.
Our verdict
Levels.fyi is one of the most useful pay references for software and technology work. It lets you compare compensation by company, level and location, which helps when you negotiate an offer. The data is self-reported and skewed toward larger employers and certain cities, so use it as a range rather than a precise number and compare it with other sources.
How it works
You browse salary pages by company, job title, level and location, and you can see total compensation breakdowns for many roles. The site also offers a job board, negotiation coaching and resume review, according to its homepage. Data comes from users who submit their compensation anonymously. Some features require a login, and the site describes what is available to free and signed-in users, so check the current options on the official site.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Compensation data broken down by company, level and location
- Helpful for comparing an offer with similar roles in the market
- Covers base salary, stock and bonus where users have reported them
- Free browsing for most salary information
- Negotiation and resume resources in addition to pay data
Cons
- Data is self-reported, so it can be incomplete or skewed
- Coverage is strongest for large technology employers and certain cities
- Some features require sign-in, and access terms can change
- Levels and titles differ between companies, which can make comparisons harder
Who it is for
Levels.fyi suits software engineers, data scientists, product managers and other technology professionals preparing to negotiate. It is less useful for hourly, trade or public sector roles. For a broader view of company reviews, see Glassdoor, and for tech-specific job listings see Built In.
Reading compensation data without overtrusting it
Self-reported salary data is a sample, not a survey. Look at how many data points sit behind a figure and how recent they are. A narrow range from many recent reports is more reliable than a single number from one submission.
Compare base salary, bonus and equity separately. Total compensation can look high because equity is included at a value that may not be realized. Ask how the equity is valued and when it vests before you compare offers.
Using the data in a negotiation
Use the data to form a range for the role, the level and your location, then anchor your counteroffer within that range. Support your request with your experience, specific accomplishments and any competing offers you have. Avoid quoting a single figure from one source.
For a complete negotiation approach, read how to negotiate a job offer. The data helps you prepare, but the conversation depends on how you present your value.
Privacy and contributing data
If you submit your compensation, the platform says the information is anonymous. Avoid including details that could identify you or your team, such as an unusual job title combined with a specific city and a precise start date. Check the privacy terms before you submit.
Be cautious with third-party tools that claim to pull Levels.fyi data. Scrapers and aggregators are not run by the company, so use the official site for accurate and current information.
Alternatives worth comparing
Glassdoor adds company reviews and salary reports for a wider set of industries. Built In shows company profiles for tech employers in US cities. Dice focuses on technology job listings, especially contract roles.
Frequently asked questions
Is Levels.fyi free?
Most salary browsing is free. Some features may require a sign-in, so check the current access rules on the official site.
How accurate is Levels.fyi?
The data is self-reported and can be skewed toward certain companies and cities. Use it as a range and compare it with other sources.
Can I use Levels.fyi for non-tech jobs?
Its main focus is software and technology compensation. For other fields, use a source that covers that industry, such as government pay scales or Glassdoor salary reports.
Sources we checked
We are independent. We are not paid to rank any platform and we do not represent any company or government agency we write about.
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