Research and Data Methodology

Pay data is only useful if you can trust where it came from and how old it is. This page explains exactly how Simply Salaries researches, checks and updates the figures we publish.

Where our data comes from

We build articles from primary sources: the organizations that set or measure pay. Depending on the topic, that means:

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for pay by occupation, state and metro area, and the Occupational Outlook Handbook for job requirements and outlook.
• U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM): General Schedule and locality pay tables, special rates, leave and retirement rules for federal employees.
• Department of Defense and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS): military basic pay, allowances and pay dates.
• State and local governments: state pay plans, school-district salary schedules and public collective bargaining agreements.
• Laws and regulations: the U.S. Code, the Code of Federal Regulations and state statutes, including pay transparency laws.
• Employers' own disclosures: published pay ranges in job postings, careers pages and official filings, for claims about a specific employer.

Reputable secondary sources, such as major newspapers or professional bodies, can provide context, but never stand in for a figure that a primary source publishes.

How every figure is checked

1. Every number has a source. Each dollar amount, percentage and statistic in an article is tied to the specific page it came from, and that page is listed in the article's sources.
2. Figures keep their original label. A figure is reported with the year, area, group and unit its source gives it. A 2025 table is described as 2025 data, a median is called a median, and an hourly figure is not presented as annual pay.
3. Independent fact check. Before publication, a separate check reopens every cited source and confirms each figure against what the page actually says. Articles that fail are corrected or not published.
4. No invented data. We do not estimate, extrapolate or average figures across different sources. When a source does not publish a number, we say so and point you to the source instead.

How we keep articles current

Pay tables, contribution limits and allowance rates change on fixed calendars, many of them each January. We review articles when new official data is published and update the figures, labels and sources. Articles show when they were first published and when they were last reviewed.

How articles are written

Every article is built from primary sources: official pay tables, statutes and regulations, agency guidance, government data and published surveys. Before an article is published, every figure in it is checked against the source it comes from, and an article that fails those checks is not published. Our editors review published articles, correct or update them when needed, and are responsible for everything we publish.

Corrections

If you spot an error or an outdated figure, email info@alphazyl.com with the page link and your source. We review every request and correct confirmed errors promptly. See also our editorial policy and disclaimer.