Salary, Billing Rate, Raises, etc.

mschuep · 05:13 AM

So, here are the numbers...

Mo_Gearhead · 10-05-2007, 07:35 AM

Have your numbers in hand (as you seem to) and clearly spell out to your boss the reason WHY you deserve more. Sell yourself (as in a job interview). Leave out any talk of peers (no sign of jealousy). Perhaps ask for additional assignments (if you are able to handle them).

Lot of touch and feel here for relative newbie (3 yrs.) in the company.

Good luck.

sammyg2 · 10-05-2007, 08:40 AM

It all boikls down to one thing and one thing only, what will the market bare?
If your skills and experience can get you more at a competitor, that is what you are worth. If they brought you in at a higher than normal rate to start when compared to the market, then you probably didn't get much of a raise for a reason. It is not all that uncommon to bring in an employee that may not be cost productive at first. it's an investment for the future.
What are others in your field with the same skills and experience getting when compared to your salary?

mschuep · 10-05-2007, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyg2

It all boikls down to one thing and one thing only, what will the market bare?
If your skills and experience can get you more at a competitor, that is what you are worth. If they brought you in at a higher than normal rate to start when compared to the market, then you probably didn't get much of a raise for a reason. It is not all that uncommon to bring in an employee that may not be cost productive at first. it's an investment for the future.
What are others in your field with the same skills and experience getting when compared to your salary?

I would say I got brought in at an average salary...but I didn't have much experience. With the project experience I now have I feel I am 'underpaid', or at least am pretty sure I could get more elsewhere, but I don't want to move right now.

Neilk · 10-05-2007, 11:17 AM

HR manager "Matt wants a raise? Is he kidding? He's driving one of them $70k Porsches and I'm driving a 30K Honda Accord...."

Good luck. I felt underpaid, lined up another job and then current company bumped my salary to keep me. You might have to do the same thing.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I also lined up another job before I had this talk with my boss. In fact, I was positive he wouldn't be able to match what I was being offered even if he wanted to. I reminded him that he'd said I'd be making $XX in base + commission in the first year and hadn't come close, despite batting my quotas out of the park. And here was a place that wanted to start me at what this job said I'd be making in a year or so. Boss asked when I needed an answer by and I said by end of the day. Boom! 30% raise two hours later, retroactive to the first of that month with my word that I wouldn't leave in the next 18 mos. I took that like a hobo on a ham sandwich.

mschuep · 05:14 AM

Thanks for the advice fellas...

ErVikingo · 10-05-2007, 12:11 PM

First off careful as your assumption is based on hourly rates and average hourly salary.

Before you complain, try to figure out if they are actually making money out of you. In my firm, the first couple of years hte new guys barely cover their salary (let alone benefits and taxes).

I pay them for the year and if the hours are not there, I loose.........

Careful how you thread. As an owner I don't mind employees asking for raises at all but I expect them to be tactful and willing to ensure they are profitable.

Best of lucks

ErVikingo · 10-05-2007, 12:13 PM

BTW, forgot about his lease, ... that's his life., If you don't want him to barge into your life or lifestyle don't do the same to him.

Its not about him, its about how much your time and talent is worth.

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

You might want to be informed how variable costs have increased - healthcare coverage for example. Could be that the increase in billing rates is not covering the cost structure of the company so that example will ring hollow. Focus on your contribution and value to the client.

cab83_750 · 10-05-2007, 03:02 PM

3-4% is the norm nowadays.

Careful with asking for a raise. Depending on your skills, they could probaby hire 2-3 people with h-1 visas for about the same cost as what they pay you.