What to Do When You Think You’re Being Underpaid was originally published on Ivy Exec.
When you’re giving your best daily, it’s disheartening and frustrating to discover that others doing similar jobs are earning more. Thinking you’re underpaid can affect your motivation and reduce job satisfaction. It may lower your confidence in your abilities since you might question why employers are willing to pay others more.
Luckily, you can take control of the situation and advocate for yourself with the proper steps. Here, we’ll discuss what to do when you think you’re underpaid.
1️⃣ Understand Your Value
Your worth in a workplace may depend on your skills, experience, industry, and location. Determine if you’re getting underpaid by researching the salary expectations for your role.
Websites like Glassdoor, Payscale, and Indeed can give you a good idea of what people with similar jobs earn. You should also establish the average pay in your region, as it can vary depending on the cost of living.
Specialized skills, certifications, and experience can significantly increase your value. So, if you have expertise others in your role don’t, you might be a greater asset.
Ask yourself if you bring anything unique to the table. Do you have highly marketable skills that your coworkers lack? If you do and earn the same salary, chances are your employer isn’t paying you enough.
2️⃣ Assess Your Current Work Situation
If your company offers other benefits beyond the salary, you should consider them when determining if you are underpaid. Think about your duties and whether they align with your benefits.
Do you handle more work than what’s in your job description? Are you constantly standing in for other employees when they are on vacation or paid time off? If you’ve taken on tasks beyond your typical role, your pay should reflect them.
3️⃣ Prepare Your Case
Once you’re confident there’s a gap between your salary and what you should be earning, it’s time to gather evidence. Write a list of your contributions to the company and highlight measurable successes. Such may include:
- Leading successful projects
- Meeting sales targets
- Improving processes
Finding job postings for similar roles can also help you show how your pay compares to market rates. Browse popular job sites, screenshot or save the ads, and start working on your pitch.
When preparing to negotiate a better salary, have a few ideas in mind. Compile detailed facts and a good argument to make your efforts more fruitful.
Instead of planning on telling your employer you simply feel underpaid, think of specific examples to use. For instance, you can say that you discovered the market rate for your role is much higher than your current pay by a given amount. Then, identify the achievements you’ll mention from your earlier list.
4️⃣ Schedule the Conversation
Timing is crucial when discussing pay because you want your employer to be open and receptive. Avoid bringing up the matter during a stressful time because they are more likely to turn it down. Doing so may also seem like you’re more interested in personal gain rather than the company’s well-being.
Aim for a moment when your manager seems calm and approachable, like after a successful project. You could also ask for a separate meeting during your performance review. Alternatively, send a brief email or ask for the meeting in person.
When both of you agree on a date and time, review your pitch and think about possible questions. Some examples to expect include:
- What makes you believe your pay isn’t aligned with the role?
- What research did you do to come to this conclusion?
- Are there any skills or responsibilities you’d like to take on to justify an increase?
- Have you explored the value of the benefits package along with your salary?
- Are you aware of the company’s budget limitations?
- Are you willing to accept fewer responsibilities for the same pay?
Anticipating such questions will help ensure your boss doesn’t catch you off guard. It allows you to gather enough evidence and arguments to support your case.
5️⃣ Be Professional
Discussing underpayment with your boss can be intimidating and nerve-wracking. However, staying calm and confident will help you communicate effectively. Start by expressing gratitude for your role and any opportunities your boss has provided to grow your career.
For example, say that you enjoy working in the company and leading or being part of a team. Afterward, share your research before mentioning that you want to discuss adjusting your salary. Ensure you use a positive tone so your request doesn’t sound confrontational.
Your boss may not agree to align your salary with market standards immediately. They could say the company has budget constraints affecting the ability to offer better pay. They may also provide feedback on areas where you could grow.
Be open to their perspective and ask questions for more clarity on their reasons for turning down your request. However, if they agree to the raise, thank them for recognizing your contributions. Follow up with a brief email summarizing the discussion and confirming the new salary. Doing so ensures you have clear documentation for future reference.
6️⃣ Explore Alternatives
Sometimes, getting a raise for your current role is impossible. Still, there are other ways to increase your value and achieve job satisfaction even with a salary lower than the market rate.
Negotiate other non-monetary benefits to make your position more fulfilling. For example, ask for additional vacation days and flexible working hours.
You may also request funding for career development or better access to resources that improve your skills. Such perks will make you more valuable and improve your work-life balance.
If you aren’t willing to wait longer for better pay and your boss isn’t providing growth opportunities, consider other options.
Look for better positions within the company and discuss them with your HR. You could also expand your professional network and look for new opportunities elsewhere. Whichever decision you make, ensure it’s the best for your career and well-being.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
Feeling underpaid can be frustrating, but it’s also an opportunity to advocate for yourself and grow in your career. Conduct market research to understand your value and prepare a strong case. Then, have a conversation with your employer and stay open-minded.
If you don’t get fair compensation after taking such steps, it might be time to move on. You deserve to work where your skills and contributions are truly appreciated.