Should You Know How Much A Job Pays Before You Apply? These States Think So.

Traditionally speaking, one of the biggest mysteries surrounding a job search involved finding out how much a position pays. It’s awkward to bring up the subject during an initial interview, and it might seem too late after you receive a job offer.

But there’s a new trend sweeping the nation that requires companies to reveal a salary range whenever they post a new job opening.

New York is the latest

After seven other states passed similar laws, New York became the latest to implement such legislation. It goes into effect next week across the state.

Three other states — California, Washington, and Rhode Island — similarly added salary transparency laws to the books so far this year. And Illinois has passed a similar law, though it won’t take effect for more than a year.

In addition to statewide mandates, there are also rules in place in several cities that require job listings to include a minimum and maximum salary or hourly pay rate.

An evolving process

California jump-started the trend in 2017 when it passed a law requiring employers to provide salary information to anyone who requested it. Several other states soon followed suit.

Then, Colorado took things a step further two years later when it implemented a law making transparency the rule instead of the exception.

So does it really make a difference? Vensure Employer Services executive Walter Sabrin thinks so.

He called it a “fantastic advancement in our society,” particularly because it levels the playing field for all candidates — like women, who have historically been paid less than men.

“Hopefully pay transparency can bring us closer to a society where there is as little prejudice and discrimination as possible,” Sabrin concluded.

Non-compliant companies might not face huge legal consequences, but they would risk alienating applicants who expect transparency.

Chris Agee September 15th, 2023

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