I’ve been waiting for an offer for a job I really want and finally got it but they decided to offer it as hourly instead of salary.

21 Comments

1. Barb HansenNovember 16,2021 at 12:42AM UTC

   If it's the same annual salary, why does an hourly wage concern you?

   Are the benefits the same?

   Does the hourly position have guaranteed hours?

   The company may have done an audit and decided that your job position doesn't warrant a salary. I've worked for companies that have done an audit and some salaried employees were changed to hourly because their jobs didn't meet the requirements for a salary.

   I'm interested to hear what others have to say.

2. TroyNovember 16,2021 at 2:28AM UTC

   I agree with Barb, I would also take it a step further, let them know that you’ve noticed the pay was changed from salary to hourly and you were curious as to why? However, if this is something that you’ve waited for, don’t let the small stuff get in the way of your desires.

3. Jackie RukaNovember 16,2021 at 2:39AM UTC

   Well, maybe it will work to your advantage but you won't know till you accept the role and learn more.

4. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistNovember 16,2021 at 5:53AM UTC

   Did you ask why they did this?

5. Tomilyn RichardsNovember 16,2021 at 12:51PM UTC

   I don't know that it is a big deal other then confirming that the role is 40 hours a week, full time and it is not intended to flux. AND... make sure all your benefits remain the same! =)

6. AnonymousNovember 16,2021 at 3:05PM UTC

   Is the position exempt or non-exempt? If they're still presenting it as salaried, but giving you an hourly rate it sounds like the latter - and that's actually a good thing! You'll get more protections, access to overtime, and other benefits that exempt employees aren't privy to.

   If you live in a very employee friendly state like CA, I have a feeling this may just be a misunderstanding.

   (or maybe they're pulling a bait and switch on you. Either way, you won't know unless you ask)

7. AnonymousNovember 16,2021 at 3:33PM UTC

   Same commenter as above - just wanted to clarify a few points about being salary non-exempt.

   IF this is the case, you'll get all the perks of a salaried FTE (eg. benefits) and full, consistent pay regardless of how many actual hours you actually worked - UNLESS that number exceeds 40 hours. Then overtime kicks in and you're eligible for 1.5x your hourly rate (while us poor, exempt souls could literally work 24/7 and not receive a penny over our flat salary).

   Having to track your hours can be a pita, and it can definitely suck to stop working when you get into the zone (if you have an employer that isn't flexible on overtime), but speaking from experience - it's also great.

   I was salary non-exempt in my first postgrad role and made a killing in overtime pay (we're talking an additional $20K+/year).

   I'm hoping this is the case for you and they're not just being shady! Good luck

8. Melissa NobileNovember 17,2021 at 1:32PM UTC

   As long as the benefits are the same, I think you’ll end up ahead. Salaried employees work all kinds of “free” overtime. Hourly get paid for those hours as long as they were approved beforehand - get that in writing!

9. Rosa GoesNovember 17,2021 at 8:46PM UTC

   They make require overtime. I recommend asking if there is overtime and the process for it. Sometime overtime is automatically approved due to workload, but I know some companies want it preapproved.

10. AnonymousNovember 18,2021 at 1:17PM UTC

    Years ago, I pushed for being salary because one of the requirements for the certification I wanted as being salaried for a specific amount of time. I regretted that. I missed the OT checks.

    Why do you want to be salaried? Is it because you believe there is some sort...status? that goes along with that? It's possible that they evaluated the job and realized that it doesn't meet the requirements to be salary (job duty or in rare cases, the title alone will dictate that).

    Remember, if you take the job and you are considered an hourly employee, make sure to claim all hours you work.

11. Carol SmithNovember 18,2021 at 1:44PM UTC

    As a salaried employee I would much rather be hourly. On major projects I put in well over 100 hours of overtime and don’t get anything for it. I feel like companies take advantage of salaried employees because of this.

12. Madam anon663November 18,2021 at 1:51PM UTC

    I am in a professional position, but hourly, and I love it. I get overtime, and am not required to be on call like the salaried people are, so I have a better work life balance, and the opportunity to make more money. Win win.

13. Karen GongawareNovember 18,2021 at 1:58PM UTC

    Salary equals the company owns you. Take the hourly.

14. Sarah BordersNovember 18,2021 at 2:25PM UTC

    This is a great question, and I agree with others that it may be a change in your favor. As a salaried employee, I have been fortunate enough to be able to negotiate comp time when I work overtime, but everywhere I’ve worked, there has been no set policy for it, so it’s just an agreement I’ve had to make with my supervisor.

    Sometimes, I have felt it would be nice to have the overtime instead of comp time because it can be like a vacation—you still come back to things that have piled up and you have dig yourself out, but unlike a vacation, you didn’t necessarily plan for that.

    I would ask how the payroll and timekeeping procedures change when you go from salaried to hourly. Are they going to want you to clock in and out, or will you simply be filling out a time sheet for every pay period? What is the overtime policy and pay?

15. MarissaNovember 18,2021 at 3:06PM UTC

    This happened to my partner once and he actually loved it because he was compensated for their work over 40 hours a week which you wouldn't get in a salary position.

    If I were you, I would just gauarentee with the company that you would get paid/work the 40 hours a week. That way it is really one in the same.

16. 60isthenew40November 18,2021 at 3:45PM UTC

    Check the benefits package. Oftentimes, salaried employees get a higher level of benefits over hourly.

17. Tangier CullensNovember 18,2021 at 5:17PM UTC

    This is likely due to the average weekly hours anyone who takes this role actually works (clearly over 40) and state/federal regulations. It means they cannot work you to death without properly paying you. Exempt bs nonexempt. Salary means nocmatter how many hours you work you’ll receive the same pay. If I were you; I would see this as potential for additional income.

18. Tangier CullensNovember 18,2021 at 5:18PM UTC

    *Exempt vs Non-exempt
    Typo

19. Huong Nguyen-ValleNovember 18,2021 at 5:51PM UTC

    Hourly is not bad. It will give you a nice work balance and they will have to pay you if you go over the 40 hr workweek at 1.5 of your hourly rate.

20. AnonymousNovember 18,2021 at 9:40PM UTC

    Please check if your other employment conditions are the same, and if the total expected pay is similar.
    Will you have a guaranteed number of hours or could you be pushed below a certain number, then be considered part-time and lose your benefits?
    Layoff procedures, vacation, healthcare benefits, bereavement and other HR policies....
    Usually hourly rates are lower than comparable salary, but the OT may make up for it.
    Hourly may be a blessing in disguise, but there are more factors to consider than just the pay.

21. Liz MilneNovember 22,2021 at 5:13AM UTC

    Ask them why the change?