Whether you are asked to give an expected salary range as part of a job application or you are in salary negotiations with a prospective employer, finding information about current wage and salary rates is an important part of your job search process. Knowing how much you are worth and the range of compensation for the jobs you are applying for can make the difference between getting the job and being passed over. When telling potential employers how much you expect to be paid, you should give your answer in the form of  a range because chances are much greater that what the employer is expecting to pay you will fall somewhere within that range than a specific amount you might give them.

A good place to find information about compensation rates is the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics site. There are several ways you can browse the information here. Two ways to see the data are:

Alphabetical List of SOC Occupations - Click on the name of the occupation to find information including  employment and wage estimates  

Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area - The employment and wage estimates are arranged by Major Occupational Groups.

Another good source for compensation rates is the Bureau of Labor Statistics National Compensation Survey. There are some differences between the Occupational Employment Statistics and the National Compensation Survey, and this FAQ explains what those differences are.