In some cases, a returned compensation observation might be below that region's minimum wage. Let's take a look at our compensation methodology to understand why:

Compensation data is built on Lightcast's compensation model, which takes into account Occupational Employment and Wage Survey (OEWS) wage data, job postings, and individual states' and cities' minimum wage laws. Each of these sources have different collection and release timelines that affect the compensation model.

The OEWS is a three-year rolling survey with an additional year's lag before the data is published. Because of this lag, it is possible to see wage results that are below the state's or cities' minimum wage.