What is a reasonable amount to ask for a raise?

Question

I own my own horse training business and charge $30/hour. The fact that I do not have an indoor facility, however, means business is almost nonexistant due to harsh Wisconsin winters. This Winter, I took on part-time work with the same veterinarian I worked for while in H.S. I am a hard worker, good at what I do, and helped her when she was short on help and in a jam. I started out one day per week, and now am up to five days because she was so short-staffed. I enjoy what I do, but I feel she would be in a bad spot if I quit.
She started me at $10, and I have been there about 9 months now. She really made it sound like she was "doing me a favor", as she doesn't start any of her help out at this wage.
I personally think I'm way over-qualified (with an animal science degree) to be working for this wage. I enjoy the work and would like to stay there, however.
Whats a reasonable duration of employment when I should ask for a raise, and what's a reasonable amount to ask for?

I work there about 25-30 hours per week.

Answer 1

How long you've been there is irrelevant. What matters more is how much you contribute to the company you work for. One way to approach this is to ask for more responsibilities (you should be able to do it with an advance degree) in return for a commitment from the employer to boost your salary. You should do your research though and determine how much the job that you are doing really pays in your area. It is best to come to the negotiation with some printed materials (you can go to salary.com or any other salary site applicable to your industry), because psychologically humans tend to put more trust into printed materials. You will appear reasonable by asking more money for doing more work, as opposed to just "I'm underpaid and think I deserve more."

Another way is to sit down with your employer and specify certain benchmarks/milestones that when hit, will trigger paycheck increase and/or title and responsibilities change.

Hope it helps.

Answer 2

You by no means ask your supplier for a elevate, no less than now not a distinct quantity. If it is been over a 12 months considering you have been employed then you'll be able to politey ask approximately a elevate, simply do not ask for an quantity. Employers love to think they're in manage. If an supplier even in a well mannered way asks for a collection quantity elevate, they'll take it as a requirement and think bullied. The supplier loves to come to a decision how and whilst the staff are to be compensated and rewarded. I do not believe it is dangerous to inquire approximately whilst your elevate might be however that is it. You can not do squat approximately the volume. Just see what they arrive again with. If you do not find it irresistible, seek for a higher paying function. -- Liam

Answer 3

If you can go work somewhere else for higher pay, then it's time to ask for a raise. If she is short of staff, that means that you have the upper hand, since there is a lack of supply of able workers. However, if she is the only employer who will employ you, then you probably are in a tough spot to ask for a raise.

Being over-qualified has nothing to do with being eligible for a raise. A raise is in order if what you do is beyond what the job requires, and if what you do is in short supply. Also, if what you do directly brings about significantly better business for her (more customers and more money), you could even ask for $15 or even $20. That's a 50% to 100% increase.

Answer 4

I agree with Morey- you have to go with what the job market for that job is worth, not YOUR worth. If the market in Wisconsin says people doing that specific work make XXX an hour, that dictates what you'll be paid, whether you are over qualified or not. Try finding out - maybe thru classified ads, what other vet techs earn, and use that as a guide. And as much as she may depend on you, unfortunately no one is irreplaceable, and after a brief period of inconvience, you'd be quickly forgotten.

Answer 5

Even though you may be 'worth' more- the job may not be worth more. But- $12/hr doesn't seem unreasonable for someone she obviously likes. However- I know someone in a very similar position with a vet who's been working there years and doesn't get paid any more (and she's terrific).
Bottom line is that there are a lot of young people who might love the opportunity to work with animals, and the vet is running a business to make money. Good luck.

Oh- you should be able to get more than $30/hr for horse training. Try $40 this season!

Answer 6

Considering how things are going currently, you probably won't get more than that. When you say an animal science degree, I assume that's an AA. If so, and AA would not be any particular advantage since you can pick up the same education via OJT in a few weeks.

Answer 7

if you're only working 25 hours a week, don't kid yourself she doesn't need you that bad.
if you don't like it, quit. it depends on what you're duties are as to how much you should be making, but 10 isn't too bad for a veternary helper. if you think you're overqualified move on- she can easily replace you with someone who won't complain about making 10 an hour. she is doing you a favor.
if you are doing skilled work for her, of course tell you want more money- at least 12

Answer 8

You should be making much more than that.. 20 or 25 per hour sounds about right.

Answer 9

5% a year is pretty standard. The previous asker was right with the 3% cost of living, 2% length of stay... or vice versa.

Answer 10

3-5 percent (3 is cost of living raise, 5 is just a bit more)