So what do you consider to be a decent increase?

[adminwithatude]

After reading about Icebreaker Penguin's 25 cent increase, I'm wondering what everyone consider's an acceptable annual increase?

[chris68]

Not sure if it depends on location or not, but I would think at least a 4% increase would be normal.



Chris68

 

[northcarolina]

I've been in the game for approx. 15 years now (omg! Has it been THAT long??) - from what I've seen anything between 3-5% is fairly standard - that .25 is an out and out insult.  



NC

[adminwithatude]

I agree, 3 - 5% is standard for annual increases.  But I just figured this out, I've always received at least a 5% increase, in fact, my last increase WAS a 5% increase, though that only wound up being about a 75 cent raise.

[msrobbie]

Considering the swing of the economy (down) right now, an increase of 5% should be considered an excellent raise.  The market for admins is always shifting one way or the other . . . one quarter you can't find a person who can spell "cat" when you advertise for a new employee, then six months later you are swamped with resumes of highly qualified people when you don't have an opening!  



In our organization at this time (recovering from a few years of very bad upper management), a raise of 5% is considered a top raise.  Standard "meeting expectations" performance is, at best, a 3% increase, with some personnel not getting raises at all after an annual performance review.  This is not just for admin-types, but all personnel.



With the financial climate continuing to tighten, some people will be happy just to keep a job, much less get a salary increase.



If you get 4-5%, consider yourself an above-average, highly valued employee.



 

[ozbound]

Just doing the math here...a 5% increase for me would work out to about 75 cents/hour but I am hoping for at LEAST $1.00 this year, considering that last year I got 25 cents!!    That was because profits were down the year before, so we didn't really get raises per se, just "cost-of-living" increases, though I don't think 25 cents even covers that, really.  I sure wasn't very happy about it. Indeed, a lot of people got mad and left the company last year. They did partially make up for it in mid-year & year-end bonuses, though, and this year things are supposed to be better. Our reviews and raises are due to come out in April. I am actually planning to start looking elsewhere if I don't get a decent raise this year, (I'm wondering actually what to say if I'm not satisfied with this year's increase) although I doubt that will happen. I've taken on quite a few responsibilities in the past couple years and they seem pretty happy with my performance. We'll see how things go!  

[yankeestarbuck]

I've never worked it out by the hour. I haven't gotten an increase on this position yet, I'm only here 7 months.  But on my last position, since it was hourly, I've never received less than a buck a review. I was given a raise my first week from my starting salary, actually, if I remember it.  But, at this point, I'm rather pleased to be working in a position where I'm not run ragged and not put upon by hydras and the mindless. Any raise I would get here would please me, actually.

[icebreakerpenguin]

AdminWithATude, I appreciate adding to my original question!  Like I said, I've been here 7 months but was told I'd get a review in 60 days.  Took a cut in pay when I came on board.  Everyone talks here as the office is small and it looks like I've received the smallest raise.  I've received high praise from the attorney I support only to have it overshadowed by the ignorance of the president who doesn't consider all the extra office management duties I've undertaken.  His secretary only does work for him and doesn't have extra duties and got one of the highest raises.  Sad, so sad!  Over the past few years I've received no less than 50 cents as a raise and at one job, I was fortunate to receive a 20% raise (yes - it's true - I received $1.75 per hour raise).  I work hard to get those larger raises and this job has been no different.  I'm looking for the last laugh when I find another position and can say goodbye and he can put out an advertisement for the position and get only two applicants like he did when another secretary left three months ago!  Can't wait!

[adminwithatude]

I'm so sorry you're going through this!  I guess life just isn't fair sometimes.  Then again, since you've only been there 7 months, is it possible you'll get another review at 12 months and then, in turn, another increase?



Whatever you decide to do, good luck!!

[craftygirl]

I just moved out of Washington DC metro, where the job market was hot up until September when I left.  I went from $27000 to $45000 (plus OT, gotta love it) in a year just by being willing to leave a comfortable job and temp and be reassigned.  Then I moved to Florida, where the job market is tight, and am making $25K, and am considered to be well paid for where I live and work.  Currently I'm in a start-up so we have bonuses more than raises and our bonuses are tied to sales goals--yep, I get paid too when we hit a sales goal!  (again, gotta love it!)



So the moral of the story is:  it all depends on where you are and what's going on.  :-)  I think 3-5% is standard, but I've never wanted to be standard and I've been really lucky the last couple years.



Shannon

[sungoddesslv]

I agree that 4% is standard, no matter where you live.  I have not been on this job long enough to have a review or increase but I did see the budget for fiscal year, which included about a 6% raise for me (if I get it).  And that is about $1 an hour increase.  A 4% would be .65/hr.



$520 annual increase (.25 x 2080) seems poor.  I really think that I would question it.

 

[fullmoongoddess]

I agree with 3 - 5% increase.    

[andrea843]

4 to 7%, with 4% as a basic cost of living increase and 7% for stellar job performance, even in a tight market should be considered standard.

[kknisley]

I personally think at least 4-5% is adequate, but 2-4% is the norm for most administrative positions.



Our company just went from the poor/fair/good/excellent/outstanding evaluation system to the does not achieve/achieves/exceeds rating system.  I hate it bcause I've always gotten "excellent" on my reviews, so it was a real emotional kick to get an "achieves".  However the company considers "achieves" the benchmark and "exceeds" is translated into "Walks on water and is Christ come again".  In other words, this person has never, ever made an error or mistake, works 24/7 at their desk with no lunch breaks, does miraculous healings just by walking into a meeting, etc.  

[ccolleen413]

I've been lurking here a while, having come over from OfficeClick.  I had to respond to this post.  One thing to consider is what 3% means.  I just figured it out.  At my measly $8.50/hr, 3% IS .25 ........... I think I need a tissue.