I love my job and I just got promoted to Marketing Manager, but I’m getting paid $10-15k below my market value.

10 Comments

1. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistApril 20,2023 at 3:28AM UTC

   Get a competing offer for what? To leave? For leverage? If you're considering doing that for leverage, be prepared for when you present the offer you're planning to use for leverage for them to say "we'd never stand in your way. Good luck in your new job".

   If you've exhausted all avenues, you've exhausted all avenues. Either be content with that you're being paid or look for another job that will pay you more. They're paying you what they feel you're worth to that company.

   Only you know what your priorities are.

2. AnonymousApril 20,2023 at 11:31AM UTC

   Often, so very often, I have people who compare going rates for a position in an area and neglect to really look at the experience that needs to be with it. Caution thinking that way. Going back after accepting an offer of a promotion? Lesson learned, to be honest. Also, if you just got promoted you don't have that experience to say you're a subject matter expert in that position you just moved to. I really see so many asking for more during a promotion where they need to look at it through a lens of a starting point of growth but want to bypass that to proven skills in the position, you've not proven anything yet. Good luck.

3. AmyApril 20,2023 at 12:41PM UTC

   If it’s a recent promotion then market rate most likely only lightly applies since they tent o be based more on average of experience vs. new to position. During your first 6 months in role keep track of successes, improvements to the department, or initiatives you implement then go back to your supervisor and push for an increase. This will show you are eager to grow and continue benefitting the department as well.

   At this point if you bring a competing offer they will most likely wish you well.

4. AnonymousApril 20,2023 at 1:09PM UTC

   Marketing manager is typically an individual contributor role, not a manager of a department. Just to clarify for folks that see ‘’manager” and think it’s truly managerial.

5. AnonymousApril 20,2023 at 2:08PM UTC

   To put a little different spin on it, there is regional "market value" and company peer level value. Your company may be paying below "market value" for every position within, so how does your salary stack up against your peers? Be careful if you ask because many companies will not disclose this information. You may have to look at open position postings to get an idea. Is there any bias involved if they are paying you well below your peers? If you want to pursue that angle, you must have proof—factor in education, years of tenure, and accomplishments.

   If you love your work and can pay your bills, you can accept what they give you and focus your energy on learning and growing there. If you don't, it would be best to get a competing offer to verify that this is genuinely well below the "market rate." At that point, you can decide whether to renegotiate or leave.

6. Debra SesholtzApril 20,2023 at 2:13PM UTC

   Having a job you love is hard to come by. If you love your job, do you want to risk it by bringing a competitive offer? You have to be careful how you measure market value as others have mentioned. Are the industries, location, job description, job experience, and skill sets you’re comparing similar? You need to weigh what is really important to you. Perhaps your company can’t afford to pay more at this time. Have you considered negotiating other non-monetary benefits? Or discussing a performance plan with salary increases based on meeting milestones? Congrats on you promotion and having a job you love!

7. AnonymousApril 20,2023 at 8:53PM UTC

   It depends on how much you like your role, your team and your company. Why not work with your manager for a 6 month review for an increase to match market rate?

   If they won't budge, and you still like where you are at, you could try quiet quitting, or in other words, do what's required of you and nothing more. :)

8. Erica MitchellApril 21,2023 at 8:13AM UTC

   If you like the job, you need to decide if it's worth what they're paying you. I'd rather enjoy my job and make a little less, than making more but hate the job. It's your personal preferences.

9. AnonymousApril 21,2023 at 4:48PM UTC

   Money doesn't make a job better. If you are a careerist and not just getting a paycheck for doing work then think about the culture and the content of the role and are you getting things that grow your career? Are you learning? Are you gaining any new skills? Give yourself 6 months in the new role push hard to go beyond the borders of the upskilled role and then ask for more.

10. BethBMay 7,2023 at 1:07PM UTC

    Congratulations on the promotion and on the raise. It’s great that you enjoy your job. At my company if someone gets a competing offer we throw them a farewell party. It is likely that you will need to move out if you want a higher salary. Your question about accepting a pay gap for a job you enjoy is a great one. On the one hand, happiness is worth something. On the other, why assume this is the only place you can be happy?

    Take the promotion. Do the job well for a year, add your accomplishments to your resume and move on for better pay.