From online salary comparisons to internal salary disparities, these telltale signs will empower you to assess whether you’re receiving fair compensation for your contributions.
Low Experience, High Pay
If new positions at your company require less experience but offer higher salaries, you might be underpaid. A discrepancy in pay between newer, less experienced hires and yourself suggests potential underpayment for your level of expertise and tenure.
Local Salary Disparities
Comparing salaries for similar positions in your geographic area can reveal whether you’re earning less than the local average. If salaries for comparable roles in your region are consistently higher, it indicates potential underpayment based on regional standards.
Stagnant Salary
If your salary hasn’t increased over time, you may be falling behind inflation and market standards. Despite years of service and potential performance improvements, a lack of salary growth suggests you’re not being fairly compensated for your loyalty and contributions.
Specialized Career
Highly specialized careers should command higher salaries reflective of unique expertise. If your specialized skills and knowledge aren’t adequately reflected in your compensation, it’s a sign you’re being underpaid for your valuable expertise.
High Demand Career
Industries experiencing high demand for talent should offer competitive salaries to retain skilled employees. If your career field is in high demand but your salary doesn’t reflect this, it suggests potential underpayment compared to market demand.
Inflation Consideration
Failure to adjust salaries for inflation can result in de facto pay cuts over time. If your salary increases don’t keep pace with inflation rates, you’re effectively earning less in real terms, indicating potential underpayment.
Selective Raises
Offering salary increases to new hires but not existing employees may signal underpayment. If your company prioritizes raising salaries for newcomers but neglects current employees, it suggests you’re being underpaid relative to market rates and contributions.
High Turnover
A revolving door of departing colleagues could indicate dissatisfaction with compensation levels. Frequent turnover suggests employees may feel underpaid or undervalued, signaling potential underpayment issues within the organization.
Company Growth, Stagnant Salaries
Company success should translate to employee compensation; lack of salary growth amidst company prosperity suggests underpayment. If your company is thriving financially but your salary remains stagnant, it indicates you’re not reaping the rewards of its success.
Competitive Offer
Receiving a higher salary offer from another company highlights potential underpayment at your current job. If external job offers exceed your current salary, it suggests you’re being underpaid relative to your market value and skillset.
Online Salary Data
Researching average salary data online for your position can reveal discrepancies between your pay and industry standards. If the listed average salary is lower than your current salary, it’s a sign you may be underpaid.
Online Salary Calculator
Utilizing online salary calculators tailored to your industry and experience level can help pinpoint whether your compensation aligns with expectations. These calculators provide metrics specific to your position, aiding in determining if you’re being paid fairly.
Unchanged Salary, Increased Responsibilities
If your workload has expanded but your salary has stayed stagnant, you may be receiving less compensation than you deserve. A disparity between added responsibilities and unchanged pay indicates potential underpayment.
Discrepant Benefits
Comparing your benefits package to those of your colleagues can uncover disparities that suggest underpayment, even if your salaries are similar. If your benefits are comparatively less comprehensive, it’s a sign your overall compensation may be inadequate.
Industry Transition
If transitioning to a higher-paying industry hasn’t resulted in a salary increase, you may be earning less than market value. Your new role’s starting salary, based on your previous lower-paying position, suggests you’re being underpaid.
Lack of Negotiation
Failure to negotiate your salary, especially after years in the same position, could indicate you’re being paid below market rates. Negotiating for higher compensation can help ensure you’re being fairly compensated for your work.
Disparity in Internal Salaries
Discovering that similar positions within your company command higher salaries may signal underpayment. If colleagues with comparable roles earn more, it suggests your salary may not reflect your true worth.
Colleague Comparisons
If colleagues with similar backgrounds earn more than you, it’s a red flag for potential underpayment. Comparing your salary to peers with similar education and experience levels helps determine if you’re being paid fairly.
Lack of Performance Reviews
The absence of regular performance reviews may indicate your employer’s reluctance to discuss compensation, possibly indicating underpayment. Performance reviews provide opportunities to discuss salary and ensure you’re being adequately compensated.
Recruiter Insights
Insights from job recruiters can shed light on prevailing salary trends, helping gauge whether you’re being underpaid. Recruiters can provide valuable information about industry standards, allowing you to assess if your current compensation is competitive.
