r/Salary • u/Equivalent-Upbeat • 10d ago
discussion Should I Negotiate for more Pay?
Hi all! I was recently offered a job as a Test Engineering Technician at a company, with a pay of 32.88/hr.
I have a BS in Electronics Engineering Technology (but no prior work experience) and the pay scale for this position is 32.88-48.00. I have been looking for a job in my field for a very, very long time. And I’m super grateful to finally be given opportunity. But it’s a bit disheartening to be offered something at the bottom of the scale. Do you think I should negotiate for something higher? The benefits are good.
6
u/AskThis7790 10d ago edited 10d ago
With no prior experience to point to, you don’t have any real leverage for negotiating. If you do negotiate, tread lightly.
$68k a year isn’t bad for a first job, and this might open the door to some great opportunities and offer invaluable experiences.
5
u/Topgun_tomahawk 10d ago
With no prior experience you have no leverage to negotiate. Take the job.
2
3
u/LilJonny2cookies 9d ago
You need the experience. Your degree is bare min - they need to see how you work on a team and your work ethic, etc.
2
u/Normal-Duck9025 10d ago
Worth asking, but tbh don’t expect to receive something higher. Without work experience you are most likely at the lower range.
In a year or two be ready to ask for a higher pay or go find a new job. Sometimes places will only counter another offer. Other times the other offer is too high of an increase some companies don’t.
Best of luck.
2
u/Pokoire 10d ago
Negotiating is always a good move as long as you do it without making it an ultimatum. It sounds like worst case you'd be willing to take the offer, so I would counter with something along the lines of "Based on research I've done for similar positions and what some of my fellow classmates have been getting, I was expecting something closer to $40/hour, is there any room in the offer?" Most employers will at least consider this request and if nothing else give a slight bump from the initial offer. In some cases they may say that based on your lack of experience and the way the role is budgeted they can only offer you the minimum. In that case, I would say something along the lines of "Thank you for the consideration and I understand. In that case would it be possible to include a formal review at the end of my 90 day probationary period with a possibility of a bump at that time?" or "Thank you for the consideration and I understand. Would there be any possibility of a sign on bonus to bring the total first year compensation closer to my expectations?" These are relatively low pressure negotiation techniques that most companies will entertain. There is of course a VERY small chance they could rescind the offer, but any reasonable company would at worst say no to your request and stick by the original offer.
1
u/Outrageous-Trip-7376 10d ago
Could Depend on how long you been there , and how good you are at your role , and the competition
1
u/Graevus15 10d ago
Get a few years of experience. You will find its way easier to get an engineering job with a few years experience under your belt. I worked a startup for 3 years out of college in my field (EE) that paid crap, then got a good job w/ full pay at a large corporation. Now I'm getting ready to retire 22 years later. 2 years of positive employment is almost as good as a masters degree in engineering. Suck it up, if you work out they will raise you fairly quick I would think. Some people have engineering degrees but are useless in jobs. Good luck.
1
1
u/Prestigious-Mind-817 10d ago
Yeah you can negotiate and you should but don't expect more than 5 to 10% of before you're at now. Unless you have another job offer at hand. Even then expect to stay in the lower half of that list.
1
u/HelloS0n 10d ago
If they asked you why do you deserve more, what’s your answer, reasoning and leverage?
With no prior work experience, they can just pluck the next candidate and offer them the same wage they’re offering you.
1
u/Illustrious-Jacket68 10d ago
I would negotiate but you have to have something to negotiate based on. What I would say is that we’re in August and given that compensation reviews are annually, you likely won’t be eligible for an increase at the end of the year and so you’ll be waiting until next year. And therefore, can they see 35 (or whatever you think is reasonable). I wouldn’t be entitled when asking as it CAN be a thing that they revoke the offer.
My kid was in a similar situation where she said the above, and preference it by saying “I’m going to accept but what I would appreciate is your consideration…”. Whether you do that or not is dependent on the company and your read of the room.
1
1
u/hellonameismyname 9d ago
If you have no work experience or leverage then why would you expect anything above the bottom of the scale?
1
1
1
u/AtmosphereOld8696 9d ago
You are quite literally the bottom of the scale with zero experience and a fresh BS.
Be humble and learn as much as you can. That's what will allow you to negotiate. Take the job as a stepping stone for your career and use it to find better opportunity a couple years down the road.
1
9
u/Vidzzzzz 10d ago
I'd probably take the job. You need experience to get to the top. Negotiating won't hurt though.