LinkedIn launches global salary checker service

Ever plagued with a nagging feeling that you are earning less than your colleagues and rivals?

Well, professional social media site LinkedIn aims to cure that by launching a new tool today (2 November) that brings together a broad range of salary and bonus data culled from some of its 460 million members worldwide.

The feature, called LinkedIn Salary, includes salary and bonus and equity data of its members across a range of jobs.

The pay ranges also take into account factors such as experience, company size, location, and education.

LinkedIn said the data will allow users to see which industries pay the most, and the salary scales at leading firms.

The tool goes live to LinkedIn members in the UK, Canada and the US, and will be rolled out globally next year. Members have to enter their salary details, which will be kept confidential, to use the service. LinkedIn Premium members can use the tool without entering their salary.

The business said that so far around one million members have added their pay details to the site, but this is expected to grow as the service expands.

LinkedIn UK managing director Josh Graff said: "LinkedIn Salary will offer the most detailed, up-to-date, and accurate snapshot of salary levels for professionals across the UK, and improves with every member that confidentially shares their salary."

"We're excited to be able to offer these powerful insights to our members to help them in their career decisions and, in the future, show them what skills and experience will help them maximise their earning potential."

LinkedIn said the data includes a number of surprising features. For instance, a registered nurse in Sacramento gets paid an average of 50% more than on in New York City. Or that the highest paying industry for a sales rep is healthcare.

The social media firm plans to add new features to the tool as it evolves, such as recommending which skills within an industry can help its members boost their earning power.