(MONEY Magazine) – Dozens of Internet sites provide salary data, but the best focus exclusively on compensation, allow you to search by title and location, and give ranges for pay and perks, from entry level to senior positions. We suggest using multiple sites--both general and industry- specific ones, if available--and cross-checking results online and off. You can often find links from the general sites to niche sites that focus on your specific career and industry. (For example, Jobsinthemoney.com is a free site that specializes in accounting, banking and finance.) Titles vary widely by company, industry and website, so read job descriptions carefully. Here are our favorites; all of them are free.

Salary.com (salary.com). Huge database; fast and easy to use. Charges a fee for a personalized report that considers company size, industry and region, as well as your education and experience.

America's Career InfoNet (acinet.org). Salary ranges on nearly 500 occupations, job postings and the labor outlook by state and profession. Performs detailed searches, such as finding the highest-paying jobs in particular states.

U.S. Department of Labor/Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov/oco). Detailed job descriptions. Links to industry-specific organizations and employment projections.

JobStar California Job Search Guide (jobstar.org). Tailored to the California job market but also links to national salary surveys for more than 300 professions. Also provides job-hunting advice and resources. --D.R.