younginvestor2013
Recycles dryer sheets
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2013
- Messages
- 226
Hi ER Community!
This topic has probably been beaten to the ground on many forums on the internet, but it is really beginning to bug me given my situation lately.
I work for a small (but growing) company with few "levels" or "titles" to the top. Some may view this as not ideal for career progression, but given my department within the company and our continued growth in closing new deals, it is a good spot for me to be in at my stage in the career.
However, I am starting to become really down based on the pay discrepancies I am learning about in my company. Some background: I have 5 years of progressive Finance and Accounting experience. I currently make $73k base, and just found out that our Admin makes $60k base. Additionally, a coworker who is two "titles" higher than me, makes $130k base. I have basically been told that I will be promoted this year by my bosses, which is great. However, I am starting to feel that, since I started at such a low base, I will never catch up to my coworker making the $130k that is only two "titles" higher than me. When I get promoted, at which point I will be one "title" lower than her, in theory, I would expect to be bumped up to about $100k base. That would be around a 40% raise, and you and I know that both won't happen.
From the outside looking in, it may appear that I have a lower skill level than those making more than me, but that is simply not the case. I have received excellent reviews since starting here and, I have consistently stepped up and done the same quality job as those above me when they are out on vacation or traveling, etc. Additionally, this coworker does not have decades of experience - they only have about 5 more years experience than me.
I am just confused, annoyed, and perplexed, amongst other emotions, as to how to handle this. Of course I want to be paid a fair salary compared to my coworker, but at the same time, I think it is unreasonable to ask for a 40% raise with my anticipated promotion.
All things considered, I am fairly content with my workload, my company, and my overall job, except that I feel I am being highly slighted on my compensation for the output that I provide. So, my goal is to try and get my base up to $90-95k, which still seems like a tough shot given that would be a 22% to 30% raise. I think that would be a competitive salary for my age and background.
Any thoughts or suggestions that the ER Community could provide would be helpful. I think I need to approach this professionally, but also need to play the game a little bit...and play hardball.
This topic has probably been beaten to the ground on many forums on the internet, but it is really beginning to bug me given my situation lately.
I work for a small (but growing) company with few "levels" or "titles" to the top. Some may view this as not ideal for career progression, but given my department within the company and our continued growth in closing new deals, it is a good spot for me to be in at my stage in the career.
However, I am starting to become really down based on the pay discrepancies I am learning about in my company. Some background: I have 5 years of progressive Finance and Accounting experience. I currently make $73k base, and just found out that our Admin makes $60k base. Additionally, a coworker who is two "titles" higher than me, makes $130k base. I have basically been told that I will be promoted this year by my bosses, which is great. However, I am starting to feel that, since I started at such a low base, I will never catch up to my coworker making the $130k that is only two "titles" higher than me. When I get promoted, at which point I will be one "title" lower than her, in theory, I would expect to be bumped up to about $100k base. That would be around a 40% raise, and you and I know that both won't happen.
From the outside looking in, it may appear that I have a lower skill level than those making more than me, but that is simply not the case. I have received excellent reviews since starting here and, I have consistently stepped up and done the same quality job as those above me when they are out on vacation or traveling, etc. Additionally, this coworker does not have decades of experience - they only have about 5 more years experience than me.
I am just confused, annoyed, and perplexed, amongst other emotions, as to how to handle this. Of course I want to be paid a fair salary compared to my coworker, but at the same time, I think it is unreasonable to ask for a 40% raise with my anticipated promotion.
All things considered, I am fairly content with my workload, my company, and my overall job, except that I feel I am being highly slighted on my compensation for the output that I provide. So, my goal is to try and get my base up to $90-95k, which still seems like a tough shot given that would be a 22% to 30% raise. I think that would be a competitive salary for my age and background.
Any thoughts or suggestions that the ER Community could provide would be helpful. I think I need to approach this professionally, but also need to play the game a little bit...and play hardball.