I've been a Network/System Admin for a year now, and at 24 years old with about four years of experience, I'm currently earning $63,500 a year. However, I recently received just a 1% raise. I'm not sure if this is typical. Also, I'm not from the US and am stuck at my current job due to visa issues, which makes me wonder whether they are keeping my salary low because of that or if 1% is just the norm. I've heard I could be making quite a bit more for the same role at other companies in my area. What's the usual raise people get in situations like mine?
3 Answers
Generally, raises for most jobs right now can be between 1% to 3%. The market is really tight, and many employers are trying to keep costs down. So, unfortunately, a 1% increase isn't surprising in this environment.
It’s a tough situation when you’re on a visa. Companies often pay less to visa holders since they know your options are limited. So, sadly, yes, you might get stuck with lower raises because of that.
When I was in the same boat, I received 1% raises at first too. Once I climbed to my second year, that went up to about 5-10%, especially after promotions. Overall, it really varies based on the company and the current market conditions.
Yeah, company policies play a huge role. A lot of companies don’t keep up with the cost of living increases, and sometimes you just have to advocate for yourself.