How much is a normal raise

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · May 3, 2016

The highest paid nurses are the ones who switch jobs every few years, from what I've seen. I did manage to negotiate a raise five times higher than what I was initially offered during my last evaluation, though. I'm not sure coming in at the last minute to cover a shift has ever been valued. If anything, it makes it seem like the covering nurse needs money more than personal time.

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · May 3, 2016

We also got a 2% raise and it was considered a nice raise. If you want more money you should get a new job. Use all your committee work to boost your resume.

Altra, BSN, RN · May 3, 2016

Typical annual raises in my area are 1-3%, so yours would be right in line with expectations.

Do not give up this job, or even your committee assignments, without exploring what is typical. It is possible your expectations were out of line.

Anonymous865 · May 3, 2016

Companies give 2 types of raises:

- cost of living adjustment (COLA)

- merit increase

COLA is an adjustment to salaries based on the increased cost of things like food, fuel, etc., so that employees' standard of living doesn't go down because of inflation. Most raises are actually COLA. Considering that inflation in 2015 was 0.09%, most businesses would feel that no or very little salary adjustment was necessary.

Merit increases are given when the business determines that an employee is doing significantly more than is expected for someone at that pay grade.

Since you received 2% and the cost of inflation was 0.09%, it would appear that your organization recognized your extra effort.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · May 3, 2016

I have not had a raise for 4 years. My company is just got giving them out. I received an outstanding rating on all areas in my last performance review.

Being on time, switching shifts, and committee work are basic expectations of the position.

I would be ecstatic if I got an email telling me I received a 2 % raise.

elkpark · May 3, 2016

There is no "normal" raise. Different employers have different policies. Often, the max raise is tied to the economy and inflation; my employer is fairly generous and considered a "good" employer but, because the economy has been so bad in recent years, the max possible raise for the last several years, no matter how superb your job performance, has ranged between 1.5% and 2.5% (different max raises in different years). And they have only been giving out merit raises, no across-the-board cost of living adjustments.

Your raise is not out of line in the current employment environment.

Boog'sCRRN246, RN · May 3, 2016

Where I work, we get an annual cost of living adjustment, in addition to an annual merit increase that is based on a yearly evaluation done by the employee's supervisor. The merit increase can be 1-4%, depending on the employee's scores in specific categories.

Sully64 · May 4, 2016

I have not had a raise for 4 years. My company is just got giving them out. I received an outstanding rating on all areas in my last performance review.
Being on time, switching shifts, and committee work are basic expectations of the position.
I would be ecstatic if I got an email telling me I received a 2 % raise.

I am the only one in my department on a committee, and I am the only one with a specialty certification which I earned this past year. And sadly, on my unit, being on time is pretty rare although I agree it is a normal expectation. We have really poor attendance, and a lot of call outs.

kaydensmom · May 4, 2016

What percentage were you expecting?

klone, MSN, RN · May 4, 2016

It's illegal per federal law to fire or penalize staff for discussing compensation amongst themselves.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 4, 2016

My pay has increased through job-hopping, not via merit raises.

Every time I've gotten a merit raise, the end result was a whopping $0.50 to $1.25 added to my hourly pay rate. Whoop-de-doo! However, quitting to go work elsewhere resulted in a pay increase of up to $4.00 hourly.