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Compensation: Formats and Best Practices

Communicate salary, wages, and benefits clearly to attract qualified candidates.

Brandon Austin avatar
Written by Brandon Austin
Updated this week

Quick Answer

The Compensation field is required for all job listings. It's a free-text field—you can enter salary ranges, hourly rates, benefits mentions, or any format that accurately represents your offer. Being specific about compensation improves candidate quality and may be legally required in some locations.


Overview

Compensation is one of the most important details for job seekers. The Compensation field in Position Details lets you communicate pay in whatever format makes sense for your role. There's no strict format requirement—you have flexibility to express the complete compensation picture.

Transparency about pay helps attract qualified candidates who are a good fit for your budget, reduces time spent on candidates outside your range, and builds trust with job seekers.


Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Access the Compensation Field

  1. Navigate to Position Details on the Job Details tab.

  2. Find the Compensation field below Workplace Location.

  3. The field shows placeholder text: "$2000 - $3000 a month"

Step 2: Enter Your Compensation

  1. Type your compensation information.

  2. Include timeframe (hourly, monthly, annually).

  3. Add range if you're flexible.

  4. Mention key benefits if notable.

Step 3: Save Your Changes

  1. Review for clarity and accuracy.

  2. Click Publish Draft to submit.


Accepted Formats

Format

Example

Annual salary range

$50,000 - $70,000 per year

Annual salary (single)

$65,000 annually

Hourly rate range

$25 - $35 per hour

Hourly rate (single)

$30/hour

Monthly salary

$5,000 - $6,500 per month

With benefits

$80K - $100K + equity + full benefits

DOE (Depends on Experience)

$60,000 - $80,000 DOE

Competitive

Competitive salary + comprehensive benefits

Unpaid

Unpaid internship (school credit available)

Volunteer

Volunteer position (unpaid)


Best Practices

Do:

  • Be as specific as possible—ranges are better than vague terms

  • Include the timeframe (hourly, monthly, annual)

  • Mention notable benefits that sweeten the deal

  • Be honest and accurate about what you'll actually pay

  • Consider including "DOE" if range varies significantly with experience

Don't:

  • Leave it vague ("Competitive" alone isn't very helpful)

  • Mislead about pay structure or total compensation

  • Forget to specify whether it's hourly or annual

  • Use confusing abbreviations without explanation

  • Promise what you can't deliver


Examples by Position Type

Position

Compensation Example

Full-time salaried

$75,000 - $90,000/year + 401k match + health benefits

Hourly retail

$16 - $19/hour based on experience

Contract consultant

$85 - $125/hour depending on specialty

Part-time seasonal

$18/hour, approximately 20-25 hours/week

Executive

$150K - $200K + bonus + equity

Paid internship

$20/hour for 10-week program

Volunteer

Volunteer position (unpaid) - meals provided


Important Notes

  • Compensation is required—you can't submit without it.

  • Free-text field—any format is accepted.

  • Always visible—compensation displays publicly on your listing.

  • Pay transparency laws—some states and countries now require salary disclosure in job postings.

  • Accuracy matters—misrepresenting compensation can lead to listing rejection or candidate distrust.


FAQs

Is compensation required?

Yes. You must enter something in the Compensation field to submit your job listing.

Can I just put "Competitive"?

Technically yes, but it's not recommended. Candidates often skip listings without specific pay information. A range like "$50,000 - $65,000" is much more helpful.

What if our budget depends on the candidate?

Use a range with "DOE" (Depends on Experience), like "$60,000 - $85,000 DOE." This signals flexibility while giving candidates a realistic picture.

Should I include benefits?

If benefits are a significant part of your offer, briefly mention them. "$70K + comprehensive benefits" or "$65K + equity" gives a fuller picture.

How do I handle commission-based roles?

Be clear about the structure: "Base salary $40K + commission (OTE $80K+)" or "Commission-based: $60K - $100K+ potential based on performance."

What about unpaid positions?

Be upfront: "Unpaid internship - school credit available" or "Volunteer position (unpaid)." Candidates appreciate transparency even when there's no pay.

Do pay transparency laws affect me?

Possibly. Many U.S. states and some countries now require salary ranges in job postings. Being transparent regardless of legal requirement is increasingly expected.

Why was my listing rejected for compensation?

Listings may be rejected if compensation is misleading, unrealistic, or doesn't match the position type. Ensure your compensation accurately reflects what you're offering.

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