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Started By
Message
How Does Your Salary Compare To Others?
Posted on 9/18/14 at 9:22 am
Posted on 9/18/14 at 9:22 am
If you research the average salary for your position across the U.S. how do you stack up against it (using information from sites such as Glassdoor, and recruiting firms)? I am not necessarily asking about how you compare to your associates in the same position within your company.
I am approaching three years into my career, and I have just now reached the average salary for those considered as Junior level in my position. I feel as if I have upgraded to Mid-level status (I am missing the average by about $15,000), yet I do not stack up with the reported figure whatsoever.
I am approaching three years into my career, and I have just now reached the average salary for those considered as Junior level in my position. I feel as if I have upgraded to Mid-level status (I am missing the average by about $15,000), yet I do not stack up with the reported figure whatsoever.
9
Posted on 9/18/14 at 9:27 am to RickAstley
How do you gauge across the US when standard of living is different all over?
Posted on 9/18/14 at 9:38 am to RickAstley
Best true indicator is to take a few interviews and try to demand the salary you think you're worth. If you don't get an offer at that salary then you need to do some personal reflection for weak spots. If you can't see any then you should ask someone for some honest personal feedback to identify any blind spots you may have.
I recommend this because 5-6 years ago I was in a similar situation. Found out where I needed to get better. Now I'm in the top 25% of my profession.
Good luck. Seems like lots of people go through this in building a career.
I recommend this because 5-6 years ago I was in a similar situation. Found out where I needed to get better. Now I'm in the top 25% of my profession.
Good luck. Seems like lots of people go through this in building a career.
Posted on 9/18/14 at 9:43 am to HailToTheChiz
I'm open to ideas, as I am looking for general discussion. I personally was not accounting for standard of living, or a number of factors in my OP. I do not know what factors impact my position's average the most beyond level of experience.
Posted on 9/18/14 at 9:45 am to BeerMoney
Thanks for the glassdoor suggestion...did a lil searching and feel better about where I am.
Posted on 9/18/14 at 9:51 am to BeerMoney
I did interview earlier this year with a different company but for the same job. Although I did not get the offer, I know that company pays salaries well beyond what I currently make (A range increase of $20k - $30k) and the work is nearly identical. I consider that company to be near the top with regards to compensation.
The biggest reason for me to start this thread is due to an upcoming discussion with my boss. I am curious if it is common for people to be in a similar situation as me, or if I am simply allowing myself to get rolled over. I appreciate your advice for taking steps in the right direction.
The biggest reason for me to start this thread is due to an upcoming discussion with my boss. I am curious if it is common for people to be in a similar situation as me, or if I am simply allowing myself to get rolled over. I appreciate your advice for taking steps in the right direction.
Posted on 9/18/14 at 9:58 am to RickAstley
I'm retired so I don't have a salary. But years ago I was approached by a recruiter who offered to double my salary. However, it would require moving to Chicago. I told him that living in a cold climate was not appealing but I'd do it for a tripling of my salary. He couldn't do it.
In retrospect, I made a good decision. I would have been unhappy in Chicago.
In retrospect, I made a good decision. I would have been unhappy in Chicago.
Posted on 9/18/14 at 10:09 am to RickAstley
I tend to agree that the best "indicator" is what others are willing to pay for you. It's basic economics. If I search nationally, I'm far ahead of the average, and on par/above with "senior" experience with only 6 years. But I'm average or just above for my field/area.
I felt I was underpaid for what I brought to my company, so I started looking around. Got offered a job at a 30% increase with generally better work environment. But I'm also in a fairly high demand field (engineering) for this area.
Consider the job market in your area. Is it saturated, or undesirable? Is the company underperforming? There's a lot of things that could contribute to a lower salary, including personal qualifications/performance.
I felt I was underpaid for what I brought to my company, so I started looking around. Got offered a job at a 30% increase with generally better work environment. But I'm also in a fairly high demand field (engineering) for this area.
Consider the job market in your area. Is it saturated, or undesirable? Is the company underperforming? There's a lot of things that could contribute to a lower salary, including personal qualifications/performance.
Posted on 9/18/14 at 10:17 am to RickAstley
I think it is a common problem. I think many new people get talked in to jobs thinking if they prove themselves they'll get what they're worth. Often all power to negotiate is lost once you come in the door. Seems like everyone learns this the hard way also.
I had these money conversations with bosses twice before and it was early in my career. In both cases I ended up having to get offer letters from other companies to be paid fairly. Once I stayed and once I left regardless of the counter offer.
I had these money conversations with bosses twice before and it was early in my career. In both cases I ended up having to get offer letters from other companies to be paid fairly. Once I stayed and once I left regardless of the counter offer.
Posted on 9/18/14 at 10:21 am to RickAstley
It's hard to compare to a national average. Cost of living is lower in the south, and as such, so are salaries. Also, company size can make a big difference as well.
In my profession (I'm a CPA) there are companies that annually produce salary guides that show average salaries broken down first by region, then by company/firm size, and then by posistion.
I have always found that my salary is at or slightly above my comparable (i.e. my posistion in this size firm in the south). If I went to a larger firm, I could probably make more money, but I'd have to work more. If I went to a different city, I might make more money for the same amount of work, but my cost of living might be higher.
In my profession (I'm a CPA) there are companies that annually produce salary guides that show average salaries broken down first by region, then by company/firm size, and then by posistion.
I have always found that my salary is at or slightly above my comparable (i.e. my posistion in this size firm in the south). If I went to a larger firm, I could probably make more money, but I'd have to work more. If I went to a different city, I might make more money for the same amount of work, but my cost of living might be higher.
Posted on 9/18/14 at 10:27 am to LSUtigerME
What about if one is very young for their management position within the company? Lets say they are compensated well but below the national average.
This post was edited on 9/18/14 at 1:48 pm
Posted on 9/18/14 at 10:34 am to RickAstley
quote:
How Does Your Salary Compare To Others?
I just looked on glassdoor and it appears I should be happy with where I'm at. I don't see that happening though. Do they compile actual salaries or offered salary ranges? Does that make sense?
Posted on 9/18/14 at 10:45 am to BeerMoney
I will definitely admit I took a very low starting offer for the typical compensation found in the field. To me I was unproven and the salary felt justified at the time. I have received higher than the expected 0-5% salary increase for the past few years, which is a positive. Unfortunately, the salary is still not competitive for the field regardless of my location.
As you said, feeling unproven when starting out is a common problem. I am thankful for sites such as Glassdoor, and the endless amount of recruiting firms (although they are a nuisance more often than not) primarily because they have opened my eyes. I saw what kind of offer one of my former coworkers left for, and needless to say it dwarfed what my current company was paying.
As you said, feeling unproven when starting out is a common problem. I am thankful for sites such as Glassdoor, and the endless amount of recruiting firms (although they are a nuisance more often than not) primarily because they have opened my eyes. I saw what kind of offer one of my former coworkers left for, and needless to say it dwarfed what my current company was paying.
Posted on 9/18/14 at 10:52 am to RickAstley
quote:
I will definitely admit I took a very low starting offer for the typical compensation found in the field. To me I was unproven and the salary felt justified at the time. I have received higher than the expected 0-5% salary increase for the past few years, which is a positive. Unfortunately, the salary is still not competitive for the field regardless of my location.
As you said, feeling unproven when starting out is a common problem. I am thankful for sites such as Glassdoor, and the endless amount of recruiting firms (although they are a nuisance more often than not) primarily because they have opened my eyes. I saw what kind of offer one of my former coworkers left for, and needless to say it dwarfed what my current company was paying.
its very rare that you will get a salary increase without leaving your company or threatening to (believeably). the latter is a risky strategy.
Companies believe in this economy they don't have to raises (they are wrong), that people don't have options and won't leave. They might throw a little bit at you but most won't see meaningful gains.
You can always show your boss the comparisons and see what he says. I can promise you he dreads this conversation more than you.
Its best to do long before raise time, as raises are usually in pools and managers argue over them.
Posted on 9/18/14 at 10:54 am to htownjeep
Glassdoor will display data received from people assumed to be employees of each company. If you are a Business Analyst for Company A and you want to rate your company, you can log information about your position, the company, and the salary you make. Glassdoor will display the information to help others who may be thinking about accepting a Business Analyst position and they must decided on offers from Company A and Company B.
Glassdoor is certainly not the only site, it happens to be the one I am most familiar with. In addition, each year I receive a report from a recruiting firm that is a compilation of their data for positions they recruited for, as well as from surveys offered to employees in the field. The report keeps the names of companies and people anonymous, yet it will break down average salaries for Junior, Mid-level, and Seniors. This document to me is of importance in keeping me up-to-date with my career's progression.
Glassdoor is certainly not the only site, it happens to be the one I am most familiar with. In addition, each year I receive a report from a recruiting firm that is a compilation of their data for positions they recruited for, as well as from surveys offered to employees in the field. The report keeps the names of companies and people anonymous, yet it will break down average salaries for Junior, Mid-level, and Seniors. This document to me is of importance in keeping me up-to-date with my career's progression.
Posted on 9/18/14 at 10:55 am to BAMAisDIESEL09
quote:
What about if one is very young for their management position within the company? Lets say they are compensated well but below the national average. Is it because I only have 4 years of experience? Similar positions are paying about 25% - 30% more but I doubt I would be offered those jobs because they typically demand 8-10 years of experience. Its frustrating having to play the waiting game. Recruiters and potential employers only care about whats on paper. Young elite talent does exist... but being able to convey that through a formal application process seems impossible.
I think this is a very interesting position. I have several friends in my old company that are in this position as well. The fact of the matter is most of them are not necessarily promoted on talent, but on potential. Potential will be very difficult to convey to a new employer, because your work may not reflect everything your employer saw to get you there. If you are willing to accept this higher position/salary, you are effectively locking yourself into that company until you have marketable experience in that field/position.
Posted on 9/18/14 at 10:58 am to RickAstley
quote:
How Does Your Salary Compare To Others?
according to glassdoor, i am doing splendidly
Posted on 9/18/14 at 11:05 am to Hawkeye95
quote:
You can always show your boss the comparisons and see what he says. I can promise you he dreads this conversation more than you.
I certainly believe this is true with my boss.
quote:
Its best to do long before raise time, as raises are usually in pools and managers argue over them.
This is a good thought and I appreciate your feedback. Even if my upcoming talk does not impact my projected raise, I do want to increase his awareness of my concerns and that I have higher expectations.
Posted on 9/18/14 at 11:08 am to RickAstley
It's very hard to determine for me, because my position title is varied by organization. It isn't a typical title such as Engineer, or financial analyst. From looking at other organizations' pay scales I'm doing alright for my position. I probably make less than average for my position, although I'm also probably 15 years younger than most people in my position. It works out for me, I'll try to make up the gap in my next job move.
Posted on 9/18/14 at 11:10 am to RickAstley
quote:
This is a good thought and I appreciate your feedback. Even if my upcoming talk does not impact my projected raise, I do want to increase his awareness of my concerns and that I have higher expectations.
to be honest, he knows. He knows exactly where you sit in relation to the rest of the team, and what a replacement cost would be. or he is a shitty manager.
He needs to know that you know though. But honestly I would suggest if you want a raise to start looking for a new job.
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