Why is it so taboo to ask what a person makes?

Question

I just graduated from college and am looking for entry level jobs in the communications field. Since I haven't had a full time career oriented job, I am curious about what people my age and other young professionals are making and their benefits. I only ask because I am genuinely interested for my own sake, and I want to use that information to help me decide what salary/benefits to ask for when interviewing, as well as to decide what type of jobs I want to apply for. The problem is, I can't get it out of ANYBODY. It's such a taboo. I ask in a very polite way and explain my situation, yet even people my own age are hesitant to divulge that information. How do I get around this, and why is it such a taboo?

I do not have a professional job yet, so I am not even working in an office with others, nor am I making a salary at all. There would be no professional interaction with those I ask.

Answer 1

There can be a huge disparity between members who have the same title and work habits.

I found, through experience, that you can find out people's salaries usually at random parties after a couple drinks as long as they're not in your circle. However, you won't be able to understand their background that well.

There's salary.com, but that can be horribly off. Frankly, you never make money on your first job - that's the experience job which kicks your butt - hence the Devil Wears Prada.

Sadly, salary is a very small portion of budget's concern at a company. If you found $1000 on the street tonight, you'd go ape-crazy, but $1000 raise may be consider an insult after two years of employment. To a company, $1000 is a drop in the bucket. In other words, you're more likely to make more money before the first day on the job, then working two years at the company depending on your salary terms.

The morale of the story is to bargain a little when talking about salary, but not too much bargaining.

Answer 2

--Lisa,tenes el nombre del personaje que me gusto en Los Sinpsón,(las primera) Tabú ¿y porque?,si se lo preguntas a la misma persona de la que te intereza saber,no lo veo como Tabú,ahora,si le preguntas a otra,¿que sabes de el,e cierto?puede tomarlo como tabú,y ya entramo en el llamado(en mi Argenina) CHISMES,algo parecido al sermón que da un cura en la película DUDA,buscala en yuotube,es interezante.-Chauu Lisa,mario parra.-

Answer 3

It can often cause a rift since people are paid based on experience, senority, or any other reasons. I remember when I found out that two of my coworkers were being paid more than me for the same job I had a fit for days. Not saying I did this but people may start to act out thinking such and such makes more than me therefore they should do more work and I less.

Your best bet is to go to salary.com or pay wizzard to find out what the average salary is for you line of work.

Answer 4

try salary.com...that will give you the average for that title in your area.

for most companies, they cannot divulge what they earn. they are not even supposed to discuss it amongst themselves!

Answer 5

No offense to the people saying its not a big deal, but I suspect most of them haven't worked in a corporate environment very long - they'll learn.

If they make more than you or more than you think they should you could then complain to the boss about how they make so much so you should get more. The boss will be really pissed.

True story from a book (can't remember the book - sorry). Young girl is interning at a company about to get a review and then the company will decide her new salary. Coworker tells here she is good and to ask for x dollars coworker says "You are worth it". Young girl gets the review, comes out. Coworker asks her if she got x dollars and young girl (with a big smile on her face) tells the coworker she got much more without even asking for it (and tells the coworker how much she got). Coworker (who has been there a pretty long time) is now making less than this new girl. Coworker gets several friends together and they all go into the bosses office and complain about how they are underpaid. Boss works out some deal with them but fires the young girl - can you blame him? Moral - DON'T TELL PEOPLE WHAT YOU MAKE.

Believe me, nothing good will come out of it - only problems.

Answer 6

For some reason people find it impolite. But in all honesty what you make is what you make. Im still in college and go to work full time. I bring home about 800-900 every two weeks, about 2600 before taxes. I have excellent benefits (work for the state) and plemty of comp,sick and vacation time.

To get around it, i would start off by saying what i make, then ask them. People are willing to give you more personal info if you give it to them first. Its like talking to someone about the downsides of there kids. If they talk bad about there kids (like hes such a trouble maker but I love him) , then your morally obligated to talk bad in a similar fashion.

Hope that helps

Answer 7

You should not ask personal questions , Asking a person's Salary IS a personal question .

What you do is search it on line keyword "average salary for such / such occupation" and look for the results .

Try a career center in your college also , they will have this information.

Answer 8

Maybe it is forbidden because people dont want too give out the amount they make...i heard it is dangerous to give it away but im not sure why...anyway this is a good question :)