One of the main reasons was I felt I was undervalued.
So with a lot of research …
I went from $58,000 to $85,000.
Thats a 45% leap in pay!
To clarify: In the end, Michael took a new job.
But first, he got his existing employer tooffer the same raise.
No Interest Til Almost 2027?
Michaels an automation engineer whod been working in the industry for eight years.
He was with his employer for 4.5 years, the first three as a custom controls technician.
That was the first factor in Michaels lower-than-market pay.
Did you know?
He also recommends these sites:
Here are more places tofind free online courses.
Take opportunities as they are offered, and never stop learning, he told fellow redditors.
I felt I was undervalued, so I needed to prove it, Michael wrote on Reddit.
Instead of relying on his assumptions or anecdotal evidence from co-workers, he did his research.
He recommends these sites for researching salaries:
And keep your location in mind.
Be ambitious but realistic.
The salary range for Michaels position, automation engineer, is $52,000-$101,000,according to PayScale.
Geography is the second most important factor in determining where youll fall on the scale, after experience.
Michael learned the median salary for his job in his area is $70,000.
So number one was finished, he explained on Reddit.
I am being undervalued.
Create Leverage
Next on Michaels list was to find another job.
He never meant to lure a better offer out of his current employer.
Instead, he was prepared to leave his old company to work for someone who properly valued his skills.
There were many hours at the computer that week, he told us.
I took a whole day off work and spent 10 hours straight getting started.
I spent hours every night after work, sometimes until midnight.
He found jobs and submitted applications throughCareerBuilder,Indeed,GlassdoorandMonster.
He applied for jobs in different industries, but with the same job duties.
The biggest difference between the potential new positions and his current job was the amount of travel.
He applied for positions that would allow him to be home a lot more.
First, he says, one company offered a salary range below his bottom line.
Staying strong and not budging on this bottom line is essential,he explained on Reddit.
In the end, one company offered him the job for $75,000 and the other offered $82,000.
A jump from $58,000 to $82,000 in two weeks isnt too shabby.
But it gets better.
The Final Decision
Ultimately, Michael realized he wanted to leave his job and start anew.
The travel situation was much better.
The company was smaller, which was better for me.
The company was more stable, and growing.
It is nerve racking [sic], intense, anxiety inducing and difficult, he said.
But it is all worth it in the end.
Sure, a bit of Michaels situation is unique.
He began this journey seriously underpaid at his existing job, and we hope most of you arent inthatsituation.
If youretired of your job, figure out how to gain the skills to earn a better one.
If youre disappointed with your pay,ask for more.
And, simply, dont give up.
Never giving up will get you further than the smartest person in the world.
Your Turn: Have you negotiated a pay raise?
What tips can you add from your experience?
Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.
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