Is it appropriate to include salary history on your resume?

Including salary history on your resume is generally not recommended for several important reasons. First, it can limit your negotiating power. By disclosing your previous salaries, you may inadvertently anchor future salary discussions to those figures, which could hinder your ability to negotiate a salary that reflects your skills and the current market demand.

Moreover, many employers are moving away from this practice due to changing attitudes about pay transparency and equity. Some states and companies have outlawed asking for salary history altogether as a way to promote fair pay practices and avoid perpetuating existing wage gaps.

Additionally, potential employers are more interested in understanding the value you can bring to their organization rather than your past compensation. Focusing on skills, experiences, and the contributions you can make will present a stronger case for your candidacy than salary history would.

In contrast, mentioning salary history could be seen as unprofessional or an attempt to validate worth based on past earnings, which is not necessarily reflective of your current market value. The potential downsides outweigh the benefits, making it advisable to keep your resume focused on qualifications and accomplishments rather than salary details.