Legal Guide
Understanding salary transparency laws and your compliance obligations.
What is Salary Transparency?
Salary transparency laws require employers to disclose compensation information to job applicants, employees, or the public. These laws aim to address pay inequity by ensuring workers have access to salary information, enabling them to negotiate fair wages and identify potential discrimination.
As of 2026, over a dozen U.S. states and localities have enacted pay transparency requirements, with more legislation pending. International jurisdictions like Ontario, Canada, and several EU member states are also implementing similar requirements.
Key Requirements by Law Type
Salary Range Disclosure
Most laws require employers to include a good faith salary or hourly wage range in job postings. The range must include a minimum and maximum amount that the employer genuinely expects to pay for the position.
Benefits Description
Some jurisdictions (Colorado, Washington, Illinois) require a general description of benefits and other compensation offered with the position, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and equity compensation.
Job Description Requirements
New York State and New York City require that job postings include a description of the position. This ensures applicants understand the role's responsibilities alongside compensation.
Compliance Best Practices
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Use good faith estimates
Salary ranges should reflect what you genuinely expect to pay. Unreasonably wide ranges may violate the spirit of the law.
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Apply to remote positions
Most laws apply to remote jobs that could be performed by residents of the covered jurisdiction, even if your company isn't located there.
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Include all forms of compensation
Where required, describe base salary, bonuses, commissions, equity, and benefits to provide a complete picture.
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Keep records
Maintain documentation of job postings and the basis for salary ranges in case of regulatory inquiries.
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Use a universal template
For multi-state postings, use the Template feature to generate a disclosure that satisfies the strictest requirements.
Important Disclaimer
This tool provides general guidance only and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently and may be interpreted differently by regulators. Always consult with a qualified employment attorney for guidance specific to your situation. See our full disclaimer.