The Hiring Desk
Hire the right person at a fair wage, and stay within the law
Reviewed Sep 29, 2026 Sources: O*NET + BLS wages, BLS OEWS, EEOC + state statutes, State agencies How we verify
Not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. General information; laws vary by state. Terms of use
Write the job posting, check an offer against government wage data for the same job, and see what your state lets you ask in an interview.
What the Desk does
- SituationHire your first employeeRegistration, paperwork, first paydayState agencies
- TemplateJob description templateDuties from O*NET, pay range for your areaO*NET + BLS wages
- ToolSalary comparison toolWhere your offer sits against local wagesBLS OEWS
- Law tableIllegal interview questions by stateWhat not to ask, with the law behind itEEOC + state statutes
The headline figure
$50,980U.S. median annual wage for all occupations.BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025Popular guides
Other Desks
General information, not legal advice. Not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. This page is for general information only and isn’t legal, financial or tax advice. Laws vary by state and change; check the official source or talk to a qualified professional about your situation. Report an error