I Got a Raise
That's right the once a year review cycle has finally finished and I hear how much my annual increase will be.
I started with the firm at $52,000 last July. After one very long year my annual increase came out to be 8.65%. Quick....do the math! OK, I will do it for you, it comes out to $56,500 per annum. I should see the results of this raise in my next paycheck on the 15th. Before taxes that should amount to an extra $187.50 on a Bi-Monthly pay cycle.
Am I happy? Should I be happy? Well the answer to the latter from most people working in industry is that I should be happy with 8.65% when they are getting just over cost of living increases. Am I happy is another question and quite a loaded one at that. I am not. To be completely honest I was expecting 10%. Historically, in the DC Metro market for my company and practice 10% (for what I was rated) is standard. Also, after asking around of some colleagues in Charlotte I was informed that the people rated the same got 12% and Charlotte certainly does not have the cost of living woes that DC Metro does.
I don't know what I am going to do. I think I can go work somewhere else (another consulting firm or other Big 4) and command at least $60K if not $65. Should I do it? Auditing is sucking the life out of me and I hate the consulting lifestyle. Sometimes I wish I had an industry job with low stress and good hours so I could have an opportunity to enjoy my life. I know auditing isn't something I want to stay with, but do I suck it up now just to pay the bills? Certainly any career change I make, I would have to take a pay cut.
I am still marinating on this one.
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4 comments:
congrats man - any increase in pay without extra work you should be grateful for in my opinion.
Hey there,
Get a government auditing job. There are many agencies that are located all over the US, in low-cost areas. You'd have to get a pay cut but you'd be making what you do now within a couple of years, while only working 40 hours a week.
So far so good. If you do not compare it with some others, you will fell more happy.
I agree that high-stress job needs more pay as you wanted. And also I recommend you move to a small company and some small city to enjoy your life.
You're only in your twenties and you're making close to $60K a year??? And you started at $56K??? I think that's pretty much better than okay. Most 20-somethings in this area start off in the low $30s, dude.
As far as quality of life goes, however, that's another matter. If you don't like your job and the way it affects your life, find another opportunity immediately. Life's just too short...
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