Running a small business means competing for talent against companies of all sizes. This tool shows wage and employment benchmarks for roles commonly found in small businesses—so you can set competitive salaries and understand the labor market in your state.
Small Business Labor Benchmarks
Quick wage and employment benchmarks for roles commonly found in small businesses. Select your state to see local market rates.
Key Takeaways
-
Use the Wage Benchmarks tab to see what competitors pay for common roles like managers, accountants, and customer service reps in your state.
-
Use the Employment Levels tab to understand how many workers are employed in each role—helpful for assessing talent pool availability.
-
Compare to national averages to see if your state pays above or below market rates.
How to Use This Data
For hiring decisions:
- Select your state from the dropdown
- Review the wage benchmarks for roles you’re hiring
- Compare your planned salary to the state average and national baseline
For compensation planning: If you’re paying significantly below market rates, you may struggle to attract candidates. If you’re paying above market, you may have more leverage in negotiations.
What Roles Are Included?
The tool covers 10 roles commonly found in small businesses:
| Role | Typical Context |
|---|---|
| General Manager | Overall operations leadership |
| Accountant | Financial reporting and compliance |
| Bookkeeper | Day-to-day financial records |
| Administrative Assistant | Office coordination and support |
| HR Specialist | Hiring, benefits, compliance |
| Sales Representative | Revenue generation |
| Customer Service Rep | Client support and retention |
| Marketing Specialist | Promotion and brand awareness |
| Software Developer | Technical product development |
| IT Support Specialist | Technology maintenance |
Data Source and Limitations
This data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program. The OEWS surveys employers of all sizes, so these figures represent market-wide averages—not small-business-specific data.
Important notes:
- Wages reflect mean annual salaries, not entry-level or senior rates
- Employment figures include all workers in the occupation, not just small business employees
- BLS does not publish small-business-specific wage breakdowns
Related Tools
- Compensation Planning Tool — Build a full team roster and calculate total payroll costs
- Wage Benchmarking Tool — Compare wages across all 50 states for any occupation
- Occupational Wage Calculator — Quick lookup for any occupation
Need help with small business hiring strategy?
- Schedule a consultation — Personalized guidance on compensation and hiring
