Here's how much you're worth in the job market (it's more than you think)

Employers are always looking for a variety of ways to hire and retain employees. Whether it’s workplace perks such as free iced coffee, flexible work hours and the option to work remotely, it’s clearly become a bull market for job candidates.

So, do you actually know what you’re worth at work? There’s a simple way to figure this out, according to Katie Donovan, a salary and career negotiation consultant at Boston-based Equal Pay Negotiations.

“If you’re concerned about your pay, the fact that you think you need to check it out probably means you’re underpaid,” she says.

But that doesn’t mean you should ask for the moon. Demanding tons of cash just for the sake of it will get you nowhere. Instead, you need a strategy to maximize your pay without pricing yourself out of the market.

Follow these steps so you can ensure you’re making what you’re worth in your new position.

Cast a wide net

Experts say the most important thing you can do when determining your worth is to assemble as much information as possible from a wide variety of sources. Going to a single online salary calculator is likely to give you a fairly vague idea of your worth, without taking in other considerations.

It can be hard to get a clear picture because so many things go into determining worth, such as geography, background and skills, all of which can vary widely and be hard to balance effectively, says Michael Yinger, global RPO delivery lead for Aon Hewitt, headquartered in Chicago.

Experts recommend using several online salary calculators, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data site, trade associations and even your own network to help get an accurate view of what a position you might want would pay.

Understand the geography of demand

Geography definitely impacts salary, but not always in obvious ways, Donovan says.

Some positions are in high demand in certain areas, such as specific health care providers in some rural locations. Those positions may command higher salaries, or offer a bigger bonus for people who sign on.

Separately, cost of living can vary widely and also affect pay. A salary in one place might be $20,000 higher than another, but that job could come with housing costs that eat up your entire “raise.” Online cost-of-living calculators can give you insights into these differences.

Average it all together

Once you’ve got all of these data points, average them together to get a clearer picture of what your worth might be, Hall says. Avoid focusing on the high and low numbers in your list; the numbers toward the middle are more likely to be accurate.

As you prepare to use this data in your job search, Hall says it’s important to keep in mind that fixating on a certain salary could hold you back from great opportunities. When you get an offer, look at total compensation, Hall says. “Is there a bonus? Are there spectacular benefits? It’s all about what you value or don’t value.”