What Determines a Good Salary; The Title or the Scope of Work?

Is it better to chase titles or responsibilities?

In today’s job market, many professionals grapple with this exact dilemma and for good reason. A promotion to “Manager” or “Senior Advisor” may feel like progress, but does it always come with a salary that reflects the actual workload, impact, and expertise required?

Let’s unpack this.

The Job Title Illusion

Titles are powerful. They carry prestige and shape how the market perceives your value. Recruiters search for them. Employers negotiate based on them. And sometimes, job titles open doors that skillsets alone might not.

But here’s the trap: A fancy title with vague responsibilities (and a stretched budget) may look good on LinkedIn but do little for your bank account or your career growth.

Scope of Work: The Hidden Goldmine

Meanwhile, a role with a broader or more technical scope; managing millions in funding, leading cross-functional teams, or shaping strategy , may come with less-glamorous branding but significantly better compensation and leverage for future roles.

In reality, compensation should follow complexity, not just cosmetics.

So, what determines a “good” salary?

It’s rarely just one factor, but here’s what truly counts:

• Decision-making power: Are you driving strategy or simply executing?
• Impact: How do your contributions affect revenue, reputation, or operations?
• Market demand: Are your skills scarce or specialized?
• Budget ownership: Managing $5K vs $5M budgets? The salary should reflect that.
• Team leadership: The more people and projects you manage, the higher the value.

Time to Flip the Script

Instead of asking “What’s the title?”, start asking:

“What am I responsible for?” “What value do I bring?” “How does this role position me for the next salary band?”

Final Thought:

A Senior Analyst in one organization can earn more than a Director in another — all because the scope of work demands it.

So next time you're eyeing that promotion or new job, don’t just look at the title. Dig into the details. That’s where your worth lives.

Let’s Discuss: Have you ever taken a title downgrade for better pay or responsibility? Was it worth it?

Email: victoriaeunice36@gmail.com