Americans feel underpaid.
Indeed's recent salary report found that just 19 percent of workers in the U.S. feel comfortable with how much they're making. When Indeed asked how much more it would take for them to feel good about their salaries, 60 percent of participants said they'd need a raise of at least $6,000.
The data varies depending on where you live. Those in the pricey Northeast are the most displeased, with only 16 percent of respondents saying they're comfortable with their current salary. In the Midwest and Southeast, that number rises to 18 percent; in the Southwest, it's 20 percent; and in the West it's 21 percent.
There's a divide between genders as well. While 21 percent of men say they're comfortable with their salaries, only 16 percent of women do. However, this is unsurprising when you consider that women are typically paid 20 percent less than their male counterparts performing the same job, according to the Institute For Women's Policy Research.
So what are Americans doing about their dissatisfaction?
A little over half would be willing to switch jobs if it meant more money. "While it's obvious that these issues are important to employees, it is critical that employers should also be invested in these trends," the survey reports. "Organizations can lose their most talented workers to companies that offer better compensation and raises."
Nearly half of the survey respondents plan to ask for a raise this year: They're looking for bumps of between 6 and 10 percent on average.
"The most common reason behind raise requests?" the survey posits. "Simply put: People feel that they've earned it. Three out of five respondents who expect to ask for raises are doing so because they believe their good performance should be rewarded."
If you're part of the 47 percent of Americans planning to ask for more — or the 89 percent who are dissatisfied with the amount you're making — here are a few tips for negotiating the salary you want:
- The best way to negotiate a higher salary if you're an introvert
- Harvard negotiation expert on how to get everything you want
- 5 simple negotiation strategies that will help you get paid what you're worth
- This former FBI negotiator reveals 3 tips to get what you want
Don't miss: Here's just how deeply 68% of Americans don't want to talk about money
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