---
title: Understanding estimated salary
slug: understanding-estimated-salary
description: What Pin's estimated salary is, where it appears, how to read the range, and how salary works in Talent Reports.
icon: 💲
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-10-07T15:13:54.686Z
---

Pin shows an estimated salary range for candidates to help you quickly gauge whether someone is likely to fit your role's budget.

This guide covers:

- [What estimated salary is](docId\:fb0Y8bf2UMQAF2STnkxmX)
- [Where you'll see it](docId\:fb0Y8bf2UMQAF2STnkxmX)
- [How to read the range](docId\:fb0Y8bf2UMQAF2STnkxmX)
- [Using estimated salary effectively](docId\:fb0Y8bf2UMQAF2STnkxmX)
- [Estimated salary in Talent Reports](docId\:fb0Y8bf2UMQAF2STnkxmX)
- [Frequently asked questions](docId\:fb0Y8bf2UMQAF2STnkxmX)

# What estimated salary is

The estimated salary is an AI-generated estimate based on each candidate's profile, such as their title, seniority, company, industry, location, and experience, combined with general market compensation knowledge.

It isn't verified pay data for that individual and doesn't come from the candidate or their employer. ***Treat it as a directional signal, not a confirmed figure.***

# Where you'll see it

- **Candidate cards and profiles** in Sourcing
- **AI Agent calibration**, alongside Talent Score and Acceptance Likelihood, when you review candidates to train your agent. See [AI Agent (Auto Shortlist and Auto Outreach)](https://docs.pin.com/ai-agent-auto-shortlist-and-auto-outreach).

# How to read the range

Estimated salary is shown as a range rather than a single number because it's an estimate. A range like $126K–$154K means the candidate's pay most likely falls somewhere in that band, based on what their profile suggests.

All estimates are currently shown in **USD**, including for candidates outside the United States.

# Using estimated salary effectively

- **Use it for rough budget fit.** It's most useful for spotting candidates who are likely well above or below your range.
- **Confirm compensation directly.** Before making decisions, verify expectations with the candidate, especially for close calls.
- **Expect more variance in specialized or premium-market roles.** For fields like AI/ML engineering or medical specialties, pay can depend on factors a profile doesn't show, such as equity, bonuses, or niche expertise.
- **Weigh it alongside other signals.** Seniority, tenure, and company size often tell you as much about a candidate's likely compensation.

**Note:** Estimated salary isn't currently available as a search filter.

# Estimated salary in Talent Reports

The salary shown in a Talent Report is the **average across all candidates in your search results**, not an estimate for the role itself. If your search includes broad or loosely matched job titles, unrelated profiles can pull the average up or down.

For example, a search for GI specialists that also matches unrelated titles containing "specialist" can show an average well below what the specialty actually pays. Tightening your job titles and avoiding wildcard matching will make the report's salary figure more representative.

# Frequently asked questions

**Where does Pin get estimated salary from?**
It's generated by AI from the candidate's profile and general market compensation knowledge. It isn't pulled from the candidate, their employer, or payroll data.

**Why doesn't it match what the candidate told me?**
Because it's an estimate based on public profile information, it can't account for things like equity, bonuses, recent raises, or individual negotiations. When a candidate shares their actual compensation, rely on that.

**Can I see estimates in GBP, EUR, or other currencies?**
Not yet. Estimates are currently shown in USD only.

**Can I filter candidates by estimated salary?**
Not at this time.