US pay rises

Zoob · May 20, 2011

Spent 10 or so years self employed, before getting a job in the US last August, so it's been a long time since I've had annual salary reviews. When I was full time employed in the UK, it was many years ago, so my salary was lower, but when I did get pay rises, they were normally between 5% and 10%

I've done a good job so far, have received praise even from our US CEO, have saved the company money, retained business etc. etc... all that boring crap.

I've also been working 55 hour weeks (no paid overtime), which is beginning to put a strain on my home life, as well as being totally exhausting. Anyway, I knew pay reviews were in process (and I'd already seen my evaluation, for which I got high scores across all areas), and yesterday my manager called me into a meeting, and tried to put a hugely positive spin on the fact that I'm getting a 3.5% pay rise.

I know the economy is still recovering etc and a 3.5% pay rise is better than none, but my company had a good 2010, and has started this year well. My pay rise (dubbed a "merit increase" is only just ahead of the US inflation rate (meaning I feel as if my good work is rewarded by my salary keeping in line with inflation). Just not sure whether I'm justified in feeling hard done by or whether it's normal to get such small pay rises in the US...

Crazy Horse · May 20, 2011

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