Why You Aren't Getting Paid Enough

Earners,

There’s a good chance that you’re a top performer at work. Your colleagues praise your skills, your boss constantly reminds you how valuable you are, and you consistently go above and beyond. You’re a rockstar—at least in terms of effort and results.

So why in the hell aren’t you getting paid like one?

The reality is that being great at your job and being paid what you’re worth are two different skill sets. If you’re not getting the compensation you deserve, it’s not necessarily because your employer doesn’t appreciate you—it’s because the system isn’t designed to just hand out raises based on effort alone.

Today, we’re going to break down five reasons why you’re underpaid and, more importantly, what you can do about each one.

1. You’re Relying on Hard Work Alone to Get a Raise

A lot of employees think that if they just work hard enough, eventually someone will notice and reward them. Unfortunately, corporate compensation isn’t a meritocracy—it’s a negotiation.

Why This Happens: • Companies are incentivized to get the most out of you for the least amount of money. • Raises are often tied to budget cycles, not individual effort. • Your boss might love you, but they’re not going to voluntarily fight to double your salary unless you make them.

How to Fix It: • Make your value known. Don’t assume your boss sees everything you do. Track and communicate your wins regularly. • Tie your request to business impact. Instead of saying, “I’ve worked really hard,” say, “I increased efficiency by 30% and saved the company $100,000 this quarter.” • Ask directly. Studies show that people who ask for raises get paid more than those who don’t. If you’re not negotiating, you’re leaving money on the table.

2. You Haven’t Switched Jobs Recently

Loyalty is expensive—for you, not for your employer. The biggest pay raises in most careers don’t come from annual raises; they come from job-hopping.

Why This Happens: • Companies prioritize external candidates over internal promotions. • New hires often get paid more than existing employees to attract talent. • Raises within the same company typically hover around 3-5%, while job-hopping can net you 10-20% or more.

How to Fix It: • Test the market. Even if you like your job, see what else is out there. The worst case? You gain leverage in your next salary discussion. • Use offers to negotiate. If you’re happy where you are but want a raise, a competing offer is your strongest bargaining chip. • Don’t stay too long. If you’ve been in the same role for 3+ years without a major raise, it’s time to explore your options.

3. You Haven’t Learned to Negotiate Properly

Negotiation is an uncomfortable topic for many, but it’s one of the highest-value skills you can learn. Employers don’t just throw out the best possible salary number; they start low and expect pushback.

Why This Happens: • People fear rejection or being seen as greedy. • Many employees assume the first offer is final (it’s almost never final). • Companies save billions by banking on employees not negotiating.

How to Fix It: • Almost never accept the first offer. Even if it sounds good, there’s always room to negotiate. • Do your research. Use sites like Glassdoor, levels . fyi and industry reports to understand market rates. • Speak in terms of mutual benefit. Instead of “I want more money,” say, “Based on market data and my impact, I believe a salary of X is appropriate.”

4. You’re Not in a High-Leverage Role

Not all jobs are created equal when it comes to pay. If you’re in a role that’s easy to replace, your salary will reflect that. The highest-paid employees are in high-leverage positions where their decisions directly impact revenue or critical company functions.

Why This Happens: • Jobs that generate revenue (sales, business development) or require rare skills (software engineering, finance) tend to pay more. • Support roles, while valuable, don’t always have direct, quantifiable ROI for the company. • Market supply and demand dictate wages more than effort does.

How to Fix It: • Shift into a revenue-generating role. If you’re in marketing, get closer to demand generation. If you’re in operations, align your work with cost savings. • Develop high-value skills. Learning coding, financial analysis, or negotiation can move you into a higher-paid category. • Ask yourself: How does my job impact the bottom line? If the answer isn’t clear, you may need to pivot.

5. You Don’t Have the Right People Advocating for You

Promotions and raises often come down to office politics more than merit. If you don’t have a senior leader in your corner, you might be getting overlooked.

Why This Happens: • Decision-makers prioritize employees they have relationships with. • If you don’t self-advocate, someone else will take credit for your work. • Many companies don’t have transparent promotion processes, so informal support matters.

How to Fix It: • Find a sponsor, not just a mentor. A mentor gives advice; a sponsor actively pushes for your career growth. • Network internally. Get to know decision-makers, even if it feels unnatural. Visibility leads to opportunity. • Document your wins and share them. If leadership doesn’t know what you’ve achieved, they can’t reward you for it.

Final Thoughts

If you’re not getting paid like a rockstar, it’s not because you’re not talented—it’s because pay is about strategy, not just effort.

By taking a more proactive approach to negotiation, positioning yourself in high-leverage roles, and building relationships with key decision-makers, you can change your earning trajectory significantly.

Earn more,

Nate