HireSkillMan Research Methodology
Last updated: October 26, 2026
Good career guides start with good evidence. This HireSkillMan research methodology explains where our facts come from and how we use them. It shows the steps behind every salary table, requirement, and comparison on hireskillman.com.
This page works with our Editorial Policy, which sets our standards. It also works with our Corrections Policy, which explains how we fix errors.
Methodology at a Glance
Here is the short version of the HireSkillMan research methodology. The details follow below.
- We start with official sources, such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and state licensing boards.
- We compare trades using the same source, wage measure, and data year.
- We show the data year, and we explain what a number does and does not cover.
- We check licensing rules with the official board, because they vary by state.
- We note the limits of the data, such as national figures hiding local differences.
- Keyword research shapes our topics, but it never decides our facts.
In This HireSkillMan Research Methodology
How We Choose Topics
We choose topics by asking what readers need to know. Search data shows which questions people ask, such as how to become an electrician or what a technician earns. Then we check what the top results already cover. We also look for gaps that clearer, better-sourced answers can fill.
However, keyword data only guides our topics. It never decides the facts in a guide.
Our Source Hierarchy
We rank sources by how reliable they are for each type of fact.
- Tier 1, official data: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, other government agencies, and state or local licensing boards
- Tier 2, standard-setting bodies: industry certification bodies, apprenticeship programs, and accredited program pages
- Tier 3, supporting context: peer-reviewed studies and respected trade associations
- Not used as proof: anonymous posts, forums, and sources with no date or author
When a Tier 1 source exists, we use it first. We also link to it, so you can check the number yourself.
How We Handle Wage Data
What we record
For every wage figure, we record four details. They appear next to the number or in a note under the table.
- The source name and table, such as Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
- The wage measure: median, mean, or a percentile
- The reference year or data period
- The pay type: hourly or annual
How we convert pay
Some sources list hourly pay, and others list annual pay. When we convert between them, we use 2,080 hours, which equals a full-time year of 40 hours for 52 weeks. We say so whenever we convert.
Why we prefer the median
A median wage is the middle value. Half of workers earn more, and half earn less. It is less affected by a few very high or very low pay rates than an average. Therefore, we use medians first, and we show percentiles where the source offers them.
Job Outlook Data
Job outlook figures are projections, not promises. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes employment projections for a ten-year period. We name the period and describe the change in plain words, such as faster or slower than average. We never present a projection as a guaranteed opening.
Licensing and Requirements
Licensing and training rules vary by state, and they change over time. Therefore, we check requirements against the official licensing board or program page, and we link to it.
Where rules differ widely, we describe the common pattern and ask you to confirm the details with your own board. We do not present one state’s rules as the rule everywhere.
Comparing Trades Fairly
When we compare trades, we apply the same rules to each one.
- The same source and table for every trade
- The same wage measure, such as the median
- The same data year, or a note when the years differ
- Entry requirements shown side by side
- No ranking by a single top-end salary
Limits of the Data
No dataset is perfect. We state these limits next to the numbers.
- National figures hide local and regional differences
- Official wage data refers to a past period, so it lags behind today's pay
- Job titles do not always match how employers describe the work
- Pay changes with experience, employer, union status, and overtime
Our main audience is in the United States. When we cover another country, we use that country’s official sources, and we say so.
Updating Our Research
Under this HireSkillMan research methodology, we re-check a guide when major sources publish new data or when rules change. Each guide shows its last-reviewed date. For each guide, we also keep a record of the sources we used and the dates we checked them.
Our Editorial Policy explains the review steps. Our Corrections Policy explains how we handle errors.
Contact the Research Team
Do you have a question about this HireSkillMan research methodology, or a better source to suggest? Use our contact page or write to contact@hireskillman.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
A median is the middle wage, so a few very high or low pay rates do not distort it. We still show averages when a source offers only those, and we label them.
It depends on the source. Official wage data refers to a past period, so it always lags behind today’s pay. Every guide shows the data year, so you can judge how current it is.
Websites use different sources, wage measures, regions, and years. We name ours, so you can compare like with like.
No. Keyword tools only show what people search for. Facts come from official and primary sources.
Use our contact page. Send the link and the page address it relates to.
Final Summary: Evidence You Can Check
In short, the HireSkillMan research methodology is built on official sources, fair comparisons, and honest limits. We show where our numbers come from, so you can check them yourself.
Last updated: October 26, 2026