When the salary is not listed, you can usually find out three ways: check whether the law already entitles you to the pay range before the interview, look at what the same company and similar roles pay in ads that do show it, and ask the recruiter directly at the first contact. In the EU, Poland and several US states, employers now have to give candidates pay information early, so asking is normal and often your right.
First, check what the law says where the job is
Pay rules for job ads changed a lot in the last few years. Before you guess, find out what the employer owes you.
European Union. The EU Pay Transparency Directive gives job seekers a right to information on pay before employment and bans employers from asking about your salary history. Member States had to bring it into national law by 7 June 2026, according to the European Commission (checked 2 November 2026). Not every country did so on time, so check the national rules.
Poland. Since 24 December 2025, a new Article 183ca of the Labour Code says a candidate gets the pay, its starting amount or its range from the employer. The employer gives it in the job ad; if the ad leaves it out, before the interview; and failing that, before the employment contract starts. The same amendment stops employers from asking about pay in your current and past jobs. Source: the Act of 4 June 2025 amending the Labour Code, Dz.U. 2025 poz. 807 (checked 2 November 2026). The Labour Code covers employment (umowa o pracę). A B2B contract is a deal between two businesses, so the rule may not reach it; ask anyway.
New York State. Employers with four or more employees must list a pay range in ads for jobs, promotions and transfers, under Labor Law Section 194-b, in force since 17 September 2023, per the New York State Department of Labor (checked 2 November 2026). Other US states and cities have their own rules.
Ontario, Canada. Since 1 January 2026, publicly advertised postings by employers with 25 or more employees must include compensation information, according to Ontario's guide to the Employment Standards Act (checked 2 November 2026).
If the job falls under a rule like these, you can simply ask for the range and expect an answer.
Where to find comparable pay
- The same company's other ads. A company that hides pay on one ad often shows it on another, on its careers page or on a different board. A range for a similar level in the same department is a good anchor.
- The same role at similar companies. Look for ads with the same title, seniority and city that do show pay. Five or ten real ranges tell you more than any average.
- Public salary reports. Job boards, recruitment agencies and statistics offices publish pay by role. Check the date, the country and whether figures are gross or net.
- People who do the job. Former employees and people in the same role elsewhere often share a range when asked politely.
Compare like with like. In Poland, a B2B rate is usually quoted net plus VAT per month, and an employment contract salary is gross per month; the two numbers are not the same thing. Our guide to B2B vs employment contracts in Poland explains the difference.
How to ask the recruiter
Ask early, at the first call or in your first reply. It saves both sides time.
Thanks for getting in touch. Before we schedule the interview, could you share the pay range for this role, and whether it is gross on an employment contract or a B2B rate?
If they ask for your expectations first, you can give a range based on your research, or say you would like to hear their range for the role first. In places where pay history questions are banned, you do not have to say what you earn now.
How gojob.now helps
When an ad states no pay, gojob.now shows a pay estimate next to it, kept apart from any pay the ad states. It rests on ranges posted for similar roles at the same company when there are any, otherwise on posted ranges for similar roles, seniority and country. Each estimate says how many posted ranges it is based on, so you can judge how far to trust it. You can try it on any ad with the salary estimator, and see pay by role on the role pages.
FAQ
Is it rude to ask about salary before the interview?
No. In Poland and across much of the EU, employers now have to give candidates pay information before the interview or earlier, and recruiters expect the question.
Why do companies not list the salary?
An ad rarely says why. The range may depend on seniority or location, or the company may want room to negotiate. Whatever the reason, it does not stop you from asking.
Is a pay estimate as good as a listed range?
No. An estimate is a reasoned guess from other ads. It is most useful for deciding whether a role is worth your time, and for knowing what to ask for.
What if the recruiter refuses to share a range?
Give your own range based on research and see how they react. A firm refusal to discuss pay at all, in a place where the law requires it, tells you something about the employer.
Gross or net: which number should I compare?
The same one on both sides. For offers in Poland, convert everything to what you take home in a year, after tax, social contributions and unpaid days off.