Strategic Playbooks: Using Data to Win

This report is more than a collection of charts. It is a tool for advocacy, planning, and decision-making.

While anyone can browse the numbers, getting the most value requires a strategic approach. Here are three common "playbooks" for using this data effectively.

🎯 Playbook 1: Negotiation & Advocacy

Goal: Secure a raise or negotiate a fair offer for a new role.

  1. Don't just look at the average. Go to the Salary Insights chapter.
  2. Filter precisely. Select your specific Country and Seniority Level.
  3. Look at the spread. Don't just check the Median (50th percentile). Look at the Upper Quartile (75th percentile). If you are a high performer, that is your benchmark, not the average.
  4. Check the "Raises" data. Visit the Salary Raises chapter to see if others in your region are getting bumps this year. If 60% of your peers got a raise, you have a stronger case to ask for one too.

"It helped me set a minimum salary range and gain confidence during my negotiations."

💼 Playbook 2: For Hiring Managers

Goal: Build a business case for a new hire or updated salary bands.

  1. Benchmark your budget. Use the Salary by Job Title and Salary by Industry chapters to see what the market pays for the role you need to fill.
  2. Argue for seniority. If you need a "Senior," use the Seniority Levels chart to show stakeholders the premium that experienced talent commands.
  3. Check the perks. Look at Remote Work and Work Hours to see what competitors are offering. If you can't match on salary, can you win on culture and flexibility?

"I used the report to discuss salary with my boss, and also helping my boss argue for higher salary for design in our company."

🌍 Playbook 3: Relocation & Career Planning

Goal: Decide where to live or what skill to learn next.

  1. Compare markets. Toggle between countries in the Professional Context chapter. A salary might look lower in one country, but is it high relative to the local market?
  2. Map your path. Look at Promotions & Layoffs. Which countries or industries are promoting people right now? Which are shedding jobs? Move where the growth is.
  3. Plan your skills. Check Skills & Self-Development (Coming Soon) to see where your peers are investing their learning time.

"Understanding how my salary ranks helps inform my decision to stay or look for new opportunities."

A Note on Context

This report provides the signal; you provide the context.

Data is a powerful starting point, but it isn't the whole story. Use these insights to calibrate your expectations, but remember: you are the expert on your own worth, your company's situation, and your local economy.