Smile Politely Salary

As of May 2026, the average annual salary for employees at Smile Politely in the United States is $86,314. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $41. Salaries at Smile Politely typically range from $75,947 to $97,539 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does Smile Politely Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at Smile Politely. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Editor, with an annual salary of $61,612. The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for most popular roles within the company.
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Current Job Openings at Smile Politely

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at Smile Politely. Use the search tool below to find available positions by title and location and apply directly to start your career.

Is Smile Politely’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Smile Politely's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
GopherCentral $93,455
+8.3%
Reflects a supply-demand imbalance for the specific talent GopherCentral targets.
Clinton Journal $84,869
-1.7%
Indicates identical technical requirements and experience levels between the two firms.
Local Labs LLC $96,419
+11.7%
Data suggests Local Labs LLC's workforce skews heavily towards veteran, high-tenure roles.
Sun Day $92,021
+6.6%
Adjusted for higher cost-of-living indices in Sun Day's primary metro hubs.
Media Industry $125,523
+45.4%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

Employee Reviews: Working at Smile Politely

Considering a career at Smile Politely? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
Diversity and inclusion are core values, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Culture is fast-paced but stressful during peak periods. While that helps with efficiency, there’s limited space for trying new approaches unless leadership approves. Leadership is responsive and appreciative. The work we do is just plain fun.
The company culture promotes creativity but also enforces formal processes, which can be restrictive. We get to work on projects that are at the center of cultural conversations. I’m surrounded by brilliant and passionate people. Employees feel supported by a transparent and communicative leadership team that values their feedback.
There’s a clear investment in employee wellness. From summer picnics to creative off-sites, the company makes a real effort to help us connect on a personal level. It empowers us to stay on top of our game and bring new skills back to the team. The company actively invests in its employees through mentorship programs, paid training, and clear pathways for advancement. The company invests in profes...

Smile Politely Overview

Website
www.smilepolitely.com
Founded In
2005
Employees
<25 employees
Industry
Media
Headquarter Address
802 E Douglas St Saint Joseph Illinois IL 61873
Revenue
$5 Million - $10 Million
Phone Number
-
Social Media
About Smile Politely
Smile Politely is Champaign-Urbana's independent online magazine. We provide the community with a passionate, trustworthy, informed point of view on local music, arts, culture, food & drink, sports, politics and news. Whatever entertains you, informs you, excites you, or frustrates you, is all likely to be covered in our magazine.

What Benefits Does Smile Politely Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Smile Politely offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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How Much Should You Be Earning?

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What Is the Cost of Living Near Chicago?

Understanding the cost of living near Chicago is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Smile Politely.
Chicago's Cost of Living Index is approximately 106.9 (6.9% more expensive than US average; 14.0% more than IL average). Major US city, housing varies greatly by neighborhood but can be high, extensive CTA transit. When planning your budget based on a salary from Smile Politely, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $1,700 - $2,600+ A significant portion of Smile Politely salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $140 - $230 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $105 (CTA 30-day pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $430 - $640 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $450 - $800+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $400 - $750+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $3,225 - $5,025+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Smile Politely

1. How much does a Smile Politely employee make?

Smile Politely pays its employees an average of $86,314 per year. The average salary at Smile Politely range from $75,947 to $97,539 per year. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.

2. Which similar company tend to pay more or less than Smile Politely?

The salary at Smile Politely is lesser than the similar company. The average annual salary at Smile Politely is $86,314, or an hourly wage of $41, in comparison to GopherCentral which pays $93,455 per year or $45 per hour.

3. How much does an Editor typically earn at Smile Politely?

An Editor at Smile Politely typically earns an average annual base salary of around $61,612, with a general range of $53,815 to $68,203.

4. Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at Smile Politely?

In many roles at Smile Politely, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge or research capabilities (e.g., certain engineering, scientific, or financial roles), an advanced degree like a Master's or PhD can lead to a higher starting salary and faster career progression, thus higher earnings. However, for some roles, direct experience and skills might be valued as much or more than an advanced degree. The impact varies by field and specific job requirements.

5. How does the cost of living near Chicago affect the perceived value of a Smile Politely salary?

Chicago's Cost of Living Index is approximately 106.9 (6.9% more expensive than US average; 14.0% more than IL average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from Smile Politely based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Chicago" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.

6. What kind of benefits does Smile Politely typically offer employees?

Smile Politely generally offers a range of employee benefits designed to support their workforce's health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) retirement savings plan (often with a company match), paid time off (PTO), and potentially disability and life insurance are included. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Smile Politely" section on this page.