Spanish Phrase
He estado mirando los sueldos del sector.
Meaning
I have been looking at the salaries of the sector. The phrase conveys that the speaker has been actively researching or monitoring salary levels within a particular industry, often for career planning or market analysis.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to explain that you are researching pay rates in a specific field, such as during a job search, a salary negotiation, or a market‑research project.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Heestadomirandolossueldosdelsector
Present Perfect of 'estar'
He + past participle (estado) forms the present perfect of 'estar', used to describe actions that started in the past and continue or have relevance now.
Gerund after 'estar'
When 'estar' is in any tense, it is followed by a gerund (mirando) to express a continuous action.
Definite article with plural nouns
'Los' is the masculine plural article that agrees with 'sueldos'.
Contraction 'del'
'Del' is the contraction of 'de' + 'el', meaning 'of the'.
Sector as a noun
'Sector' refers to a specific area of the economy or industry.
🗨In Conversation
¿Has revisado los sueldos del sector?
Have you checked the sector's salaries?
Sí, he estado mirando los sueldos del sector.
Yes, I have been looking at the sector's salaries.
✕Common Mistakes
He sido mirando los sueldos del sector.
Use 'estar' for ongoing actions; 'ser' describes permanent characteristics.
He estado mirado los sueldos del sector.
After 'estar' you need a gerund, not a past participle.
He estado mirando el sueldos del sector.
Avoid mixing singular and plural; keep article and noun in agreement.
↔Alternatives
He estado revisando los salarios del sector.
I have been reviewing the sector's salaries.
He estado consultando los sueldos del sector.
I have been consulting the sector's salaries.
He estado investigando los sueldos del sector.
I have been investigating the sector's salaries.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking workplaces, talking openly about salaries can be considered impolite unless you are in a formal or professional context. Use a neutral tone and, if possible, opt for 'salario' instead of 'sueldo' when you need a more formal register. Also, remember that 'sector' often refers to a broad industry (e.g., el sector tecnológico) rather than a specific company.