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dahliaclone

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2007
16,174
24,995
113
Minneapolis
I've never gotten a raise less than a typical cost of living raise, which is around 3 or 4%. I think it's only fair of a company, if they typically do give out raises, to let employees know if there won't be any raises a given year because that's money people sometimes rely on. I am not sure if would make me want to leave for a new job but it would depend on the situation, how much I loved the job, how long I'd been there, etc.

A larger raise is great because it's obviously more money but to me it means I'm doing a great job. And it shows they're willing to give big raises when people do a good job.

I think an average raise should be at least 3%...which is basically a cost of living raise. At my company, 5% is pretty normal, 6% means you're doing really great, and anything over is above and beyond great. Largest raise I've received is 30% but that's also because they wanted to keep me and knew other companies were interested.
 
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CloneinWDSM

Well-Known Member
Aug 9, 2013
16,765
11,452
113
Been at company for 5 years

Lowest was 3% my first year.
2nd year was 6% and now it's been 8% the last 3 years. Highest my company goes is 8% but they throw in bonuses throughout the year
 

Rabbuk

Well-Known Member
Mar 1, 2011
56,961
46,117
113
Lowest i think was around 3% highest I think 7 or 8%. I think gone are the days of double digit raises.
 

SpokaneCY

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
13,294
8,489
113
Spokane, WA
Not talking about switching jobs. What type of raises have you gotten? Anyone miss out for a few years due to the recession? Anyone get the short stick one year? How did you handle it? Did it make you want to switch jobs?

What about a larger raise? Did it give you more motivation or did you forget about it after awhile? Did it make you think you could get even more elsewhere?

On average what have your raises been?

Big raise was 15% in a year. Average is 2.5%.

Previous boss paid for performance - you did more work, you stepped outside your own box, you made a visible effort and it was rewarded. Being rewarded for my efforts motivates me. A cost of living raise just makes me appreciate having a job - not much else.
 
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iowa_wildcat

Well-Known Member
Jan 25, 2008
2,344
819
113
76
Ames
My lowest raise was $300 yearly in my first job out of college. It motivated me to enter commission sales positions where I received what I was worth.
 
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throwittoblythe

Well-Known Member
Aug 7, 2006
3,931
4,636
113
Minneapolis, MN
My first employer out of college sucked at raises and didn't give bonuses. Average raise over 7 years there was 3%. Lowest was 2% and highest was 10% when I was promoted. I was considered one of the top performers in the group. I realized how underpaid I was when I finally got the nerve to look elsewhere. I got a 35% raise with a position I enjoy more, more of a typical 40 hr week, and less travel.
 
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ripvdub

Well-Known Member
Mar 20, 2006
8,352
754
113
Iowa
I have a union job where cost of living would happen quarterly, unfortunately somehow every once in a while it would go down and they'd take money away from us.I think it was as much as $.25 an hour less sometimes. That adds up over time.
Thankfully my worthless union got that removed last contract.
 

Cyclonepride

Thought Police
Staff member
Apr 11, 2006
98,823
62,384
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55
A pineapple under the sea
www.oldschoolradical.com
Always and I mean ALWAYS look out for number one.

You employer isn't family. You don't owe them anything..They don't owe you anything.

Look out for you. More money across the street......take it. Your employer will cut you in a heartbeat

This seems overly cynical. Perhaps you haven't had the good fortune to work for the right people.

I've seen people come and go (and come back) and skip around chasing the dollar. I've been at the same place coming up on 24 years. While my experience is narrow and anecdotal, I feel like I've surpassed the large majority of those who have jumped around like that (though not all). Most of those who have done well with it started their own business (which is truly putting your money where your mouth is).

Regarding the OP, I've gotten anywhere from 4-5% to nothing, to a 20% cut (the Great Recession was fun in the construction industry). I've also been paid straight commission or piece rate for over half my career, so I really made my own raise most of the time. At this point, most of my raises come in the form of incentives to perform, which is less comfortable for most people, but I like it.
 
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throwittoblythe

Well-Known Member
Aug 7, 2006
3,931
4,636
113
Minneapolis, MN
This seems overly cynical. Perhaps you haven't had the good fortune to work for the right people.

I've seen people come and go (and come back) and skip around chasing the dollar. I've been at the same place coming up on 24 years. While my experience is narrow and anecdotal, I feel like I've surpassed the large majority of those who have jumped around like that (though not all). Most of those who have done well with it started their own business (which is truly putting your money where your mouth is).

Regarding the OP, I've gotten anywhere from 4-5% to nothing, to a 20% cut (the Great Recession was fun in the construction industry). I've also been paid straight commission or piece rate for over half my career, so I really made my own raise most of the time. At this point, most of my raises come in the form of incentives to perform, which is less comfortable for most people, but I like it.

I agree with your overall position. I think people who switch jobs to only chase the money are often disappointed in what they find. However, we can't be so naive to ignore the fact that some companies truly treat their people like a commodity. People who constantly jump jobs often don't get ahead. People who stay at a company out of unreciprocated loyalty can be fired after years of service. It's important that we each find our own way. Some find the right place and stay for their whole careers; some have to switch jobs 3 times to find it.
 

canker2323

Well-Known Member
Oct 22, 2006
1,614
378
83
47
What Cheer, IA
Always and I mean ALWAYS look out for number one.

You employer isn't family. You don't owe them anything..They don't owe you anything.

Look out for you. More money across the street......take it. Your employer will cut you in a heartbeat

I agree but be smart about moving. Do extensive homework first and unless you are miserable only take step ups from where you are. I also think you should stay at an employer at least 1.5 years. I don't think you can accomplish much in less than that. When I read resumes, a red flag to me is job hopping every year if you aren't a contractor/consultant. One last thing, I hate reading resumes that are more than 2 pages.

I've never had a pay cut and even got a 15% bonus in 2008. I've had between 3% and 15% raises at my current employer (9 years). Usually the lower end.
 

TheHelgo

Well-Known Member
Mar 20, 2006
3,714
1,338
113
Highest was 25%, but that was back in 2006 and I was fairly fresh out of grad school. Lowest was 1.7% a few years ago. Typical recently has been around 3% annually.
 

ChE2010

Active Member
Mar 3, 2013
118
46
28
Only been eligible for 2 raises so far. Highest was 2.5%. Lowest (at a different company) was 0.98%.
 

cyclone101

Well-Known Member
Oct 19, 2009
4,565
4,295
113
Dez Moinz
After year one of my first job out of college I got 6%. But that company gave the same raise to every employee whether you were the one that did nothing all year and whatever you did do was ****** up or the one that busted your ass, did everything right, and went the extra mile to do a good job... same raise. Really makes you feel like working hard for a company and trying to rise to the top... not.

After year two we all got a 2.5% raise. 2 weeks later I accepted a job with a different company. More money, way fewer hours, way less travel (now practically zero), better benefits, and more in the direction I want my career to go. Just finished my second week and I'm enjoying it so far. But I'll withhold judgement for one year. Haha.
 

3TrueFans

Just a Happily Married Man
Sep 10, 2009
63,241
61,911
113
Ames
Normal raises have been in the 3-5% range all but 1 year, biggest came with a change in job title and that was about 15%.
 

helechopper

Loyal Son Forever True
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Apr 8, 2006
5,938
6,031
113
Chicago
Was at a job that didn't present too many opportunities for promotion, got a 2K raise after two years. Eff that.

Found a new job that came with a 20k salary raise to start. Kicked ass and received an additional 30k raise and promotion 8 months later.

The moral of the story, don't let people determine your talent and worth. Go get what you want.
 

CloneIce

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
37,768
21,149
113
Largest was ~ 40% but that came with promotion. Lowest was 0, during the recession. It was a company wide thing, which really pissed me off because our region was still doing great.

Alot of firms do 2-4% for typical annual raises, with higher performers getting more. In my experience, to get a big raise you usually have to ask for it; if not, even if you are great at your job you will just end up with a standard annual raise.
 

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