Planning Ahead - Job Pay Tips

On the application form or during the interview, you may be required to discuss your pay.

First, you need to research the position and the company in order to know how much people who work in that position usually earn.  This can be difficult to research, so ask for assistance if you need it! 

Your pay is usually determined by two main things:

• Your previous work experience as it relates to the job you are applying for
• Your education level

Hourly rate versus salary

In most cases, you will get paid by the hour when you work in a part time job.  When you work less than 35 hours per week, it is usually considered a part-time job.  Here are some examples of hourly rates: $7.25 per hour; $10.00 per hour; $20.00 per hour. 

If you are paid by the hour, you would probably receive a paycheck every two weeks or once per month. 
In many cases, you receive a salary when you work in a full time job.  When you work at least 40 hours per week, it is usually considered a full-time job.  Here are some examples of salaries:  $18,000 per year; $40,000 per year; $80,000 per year.

If you receive a salary, you would probably receive a paycheck every two weeks or once a month. 

	Requesting Money Quiz
	Requesting Money Quiz.
	Requesting Money Answer Sheet

What can you expect to be paid?

In most cases, if you have little work experience and no more than a high school degree, you should expect that you might earn somewhere around minimum wage. There is a federal minimum wage rate, although there are exemptions for specific types of workers (people who work for tips). The states that don't have minimum wage laws on the books are still required to uphold the Federal Minimum wage. Only U.S. Territories are exempt.

Specific job information including salary rates by state are available online at multiple sites. Examples are:

• www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/state-minimum-wage-chart.aspx#Table
• www.onetonline.org

 

Making requests for pay

On the application form, the questions relating to pay might look like this: 

• "Please enter the minimum hourly wage you would accept for this position." $_______
• "Please indicate desired salary for this position." $_____________

When you request to be paid more, it is usually because you have work experience or education that makes you more qualified for the job. Also, you should keep the request realistic. Check out the examples below for realistic and unrealistic requests for more pay. Keep in mind that the company may not be willing or able to change their offer. Check out this chart for examples:

They Offer:	You Request:	Realistic or unrealistic?
$7.25 per hour	$11.00 per hour	Unrealistic
$7.25 per hour	$7.75 per hour	Realistic
$12.00 per hour	$18.00 per hour	Unrealistic
$12.00 per hour	$13.00 per hour	Realistic
$28,000 per year (salary)	$37,000 per year	Unrealistic
$28,000 per year (salary)	$30,000 per year	Realistic

 

If you are not sure what to write on the compensation section of the application, you can write any of the following responses:

• "Will discuss"
• "Open to options"
• "Negotiable"

If you are completing an online application, you may not be able to type in these phrases.  The online version might require you to type in an actual dollar amount.