Payrate

Meeshie · Oct 16, 2017

Make an appointment to speak with your manager... and then.. ask. "Given my years of service and excellent record I'd like to discuss the possibility of an increase in my pay" Be prepared for a no. You don't always get a yes. Be prepared for a plan B if you get a no, too.

allnurses Guide · Oct 16, 2017

What you get paid these days has nothing to do with the cost of living and everything to do with what the market will bear in your area. Whether or not you feel you make a livable wage is not really part of the equation. It all depends on how many other CNAs are out there able to do the job you do and what are other employers in your area paying for the exact same job? Therefore, before you go ask for a raise, do your homework. What is the going rate in your town for your level of applicable education and experience? Are you already within the average range? If so, a raise likely will not happen and you will need to look to other means to earn the shortfall you are facing. If you are far below average, then you may have a chance at getting the raise you desire. If you go in stating you can't live on what you make, expect a watery, sympathetic smile and nothing more.

You mention making below the national average...the national average really doesn't have anything to do with what your job and experience level pays in your area. Wages vary massively depending on where you live. If CNAs make $13/hr where you are and $22 in California (these are made up numbers....I have no idea what the real averages are), then the national average will be much higher than the $13 you can reasonably expect to make in your city and won't hold an ounce of weight in requesting more money.

It is also very likely you will need to change employers to make more money. It is kind of well known in our line of work that the only way to get a good raise is to change employers. I wish you the best of luck. A lot of employers are tamping down on expenditures due to the incredible instability in the healthcare market in the US. Know what you will do if the answer is no.

TheObserver5 · Oct 16, 2017

So, I am a ER Tech with my CNA license I have been working in the ER for about 8 yrs I am needing a raise at my job. Due to the amount of money I make, it's not even enough for me to get moved out into a apartment. I was going to stay with my parents til I get done with school it's taking me a little longer in school cause of health issues anyways they are moving out of state. I make below the national average even, I am trying to figure out how to approach my boss with this.

As someone who has been on both sides of the fence (asking for the raise and being asked for the raise), go in facts not emotions (i.e. don't be offended if they're not willing to budge at first or at all). And, never use personal reasons (e.g. I can't afford rent etc.); keep it professional and work-based only (e.g. I've been doing this for x amount of years and according to the research I've done, someone in my position is usually at this rate etc.).

1) Look at local demographics for your area:

a) Find employers in your area who are around the same size (e.g. number of

employees) as your facility and look at job postings to see what they are paying

people in a similar position.

b) Go to sources like Payscale, Glassdoor, Paysa etc. and type in your title. This should

pull up salary information for people with that title (along with years of experience to

see where you should fall according to pay range).

c) Keep location in mind when approaching your boss about a pay raise. For example,

you might make X amount of dollars working in the current location but if you drive

30 miles away, you could make about 30% more in your salary. Don't approach them

with a crazy number from 30 miles away and stay realistic in your "ask."

d) In line with letter c above, know your value. Since you've done both ER Tech and

CNA, this could be of value to employers since you have experience in different roles

and could bring additional worth to the department (and therefore higher salary).

e) Be prepared for the answer "No" but don't necessarily take it as the end-all-be-all

answer. Listen for why they are saying "No." Is it because the budget has already

been set for the year? Is it performance based?

f) If they do say "No", ask when you can revisit the topic. Ask for a performance review

(and you can also use this as leverage later on for the salary increase) in a specific

time frame.

So, let's set up the scenario:

You: Mr. boss, I've been here as an ER Tech and CNA for 8 years. I've had the opportunity to learn a lot while in your department and I'd like to discuss compensation if you have time.

According to my research on Payscale, speaking with other professionals, gathering information from various salary resources, and based on pay structures for similar roles at organizations in the area, a salary of $x would be in line with someone of my experience.

Emergency Room (ER) Technician Salary

If your boss seems hesitant, just continue to talk about the research that you've done and use those as talking points. Also, be sure to have some STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Results) stories that reiterate why you deserve the raise.

You know you deserve the raise and your boss might even know it too. However, sometimes people need tangible examples to be reminded of why their employees "deserve" the raise. Also, it's good to provide examples in case it is budget based and they need to go "higher up" for approval.

Hopefully some of this helped and keep us posted! Good luck!

caliotter3 · Oct 16, 2017

If you must, get into a roommate situation for an apartment when your parents move, or rent a room. While a rented room isn't the best of living arrangements, it is a roof over your head other than the roof of your car.

Sour Lemon · Oct 16, 2017

I second NOT bringing up personal reasons. Your employer cares about what you can do for them, not what they can do for you. Think of ways your skills and level of responsibility have increased over the years. You need to let them know why it's in their best interest to try to keep you on board.