Knowing Your Worth and Getting Your Worth
Most of us work because we need to earn a living and if we’re lucky, we like or even love what we do. Perhaps you’ve been wondering whether your total compensation is appropriate for your skills, education, and job performance. How do you find out what you should be earning, and then, how do you approach your boss to request an increase in your compensation? The best approach is to research salary information and then, if appropriate, request an increase in salary, vacation time, or other benefits.
Are You Paid on a Scale (Grid)?
Some clinicians work for employers who use a pay scale for each employee category, e.g., administrative assistants, speech-language pathologists, physiotherapists, etc. Your salary and benefits might be laid out on this scale, and may be based solely on your years of service in that place of employment. Or, they may be based on your total years of experience as a clinician, so your placement on their pay scale may be higher up on the scale on day one in the new job due to your professional experience obtained in previous jobs. Employers are likely to advise you of this before you even start a new job, but it’s not a bad idea to politely ask about the scale and how many years you are being credited. Some scales max out after, for example, 10 years of service, so salary increases may not continue to occur, though other increases, such as vacation time and cost of living increases, may continue to be provided. If you’re working on a scale, you won’t have to worry about asking for a raise. If you aren’t paid on a scale, then read on.
Where to Find Salary Information
Some good starting points include the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and profession-specific websites. The BLS can provide median earnings for specific industries and job titles. Beware, however, that the figures are national averages, meaning that those who live in expensive cities should expect a higher wage than the national average, and those living in inexpensive locales might not earn as much as the national average. Trade publications sometimes collect and publish salary surveys, as do professional associations, so have a look at their websites. Many online recruiting sites such as Workopolis.com have salary information as well. Many public sector employers publish a salary range on their job ads, so even if you aren’t interested in working at that job, you can use the salary range to help you refine your understanding of the salaries available to you.
Asking for a Raise
Consider the economy, the financial health of your company, and your boss’ current workload when it comes to timing your request for a raise. You can request a raise during your annual review, if you have one. Otherwise, pick a time when things are going smoothly at work. If you have just completed a big project, made some significant contribution to your workplace, or earned special recognition for your work, then the timing could be ideal. Memories can be short, so don’t miss out on a good opportunity. Request a meeting with your boss and give him or her a ‘heads up’ on what you want to discuss. No one likes to be ambushed. Share the results of your research and any other justifications for your request in a matter-of-fact manner, and specify what you feel is fair compensation. Give your boss time to consider your request, even if that involves scheduling another meeting. Don’t take it personally if your request is denied. There may be several variables you aren’t aware of that are restricting salary increases for everyone, and your boss may not be at liberty to discuss them with anyone. If you feel truly disgruntled about your compensation, then it may be time to find another job.