Need Advice

[giozera]

Hi
I'm working at one company in north jersey which is pretty big and doing good with business, and its expanding every year. so I've been here for a year working as a graphic designer, I graduated from Gibbs 2006 with certificate and started working right in month and half at this company as a entry level. during this year I've done tones of job in graphic design and also maintaining and troubleshooting office computers and printers (thats my other specialty) and helping with some marketing stuff.
I really can see that I have improved my graphic design skills during this year and also I have heard from my boss and a supervisor saying that my work got improved.
so 2 weeks ago there was my annual review and they gave me only 90cent raise. and now I'm getting 15.90$ per hr no overtimes. question is: is this rate fare with the work I do for them and comparing todays living costs? should I start looking for a new job? :confused:
thanks

[Virgo Nightingale]

IMO, that's not really that bad a salary considering you started at entry level. A 90¢/hour raise represents a 6% raise. Not fantastic by any means, but still not horrible.

If you're happy with the job itself and the work you do there, I'd stay put for now and build more experience for yourself. Or at least look around while still working. Definitely don't quit the job thinking you'll land something better real soon. The job market doesn't exactly look promising.

Your other option is to negotiate a better raise, perhaps in a few months. I wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth though.

[CkretAjint]

My favorite question of all time, What do you feel you should be making? If you don't know, then are you really unhappy with the job? Or just fishing for an excuse to leave it?

[giozera]

My favorite question of all time, What do you feel you should be making? If you don't know, then are you really unhappy with the job? Or just fishing for an excuse to leave it?

only thing is when I started last year that par rate was enough to pay my bills this year its not enough any more even with that raise. that's why I'm wandering because of the living cost wet higher may be I should be getting more? :confused:
thanks

[CkretAjint]

heh, join the club. ;)

Cost of living was 5.1% last year in Florida. I got a 4% raise (which was on the high end here). A few of my coworkers got 3%, some even just 2%.

[Ben Kessler]

Can't hurt to look around for something better.

[budafist]

Yeah, put your feelers out, but don't burn your bridges.

[giozera]

thank u everyone for your advice

[Derfie]

NJ is the worst place to live right now with all the taxes. They raised my property taxes 33% this year. NJ is very unfair to businesses, and a lot are leaving the state. The cost of living is definitely outpacing the rise in wages. Your company might only be able to give smalll raises across the board, so 6% raise is pretty good in this market. You might check out what is available at other companies, the job opportunities are on the slimmer side right now, and other companies might not be paying as well either. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[giozera]

yea I was thinking moving to pennsylvania because its cheaper over there and NJ getting worst and worst. yesturday I got auto insurance letter about raising rates in most NJ areas so its going to be a fun this year.
by the way I was looking salary.com report and it shows bottom line pay rate is 40.000$ year, for a graphic designer with 1 year experience, anyone knows if that web site is accurate?

[Virgo Nightingale]

The salary suggestions there are definitely on the bloated side. I really don't know where they get their figures from, I only know one or two graphic designers in this area in the 40k range and they both have much more than one year of experience.

Funny you were talking about moving out. A friend of mine just sent me this link (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,303159,00.html). It's a little old, but still relevant.

[giozera]

The salary suggestions there are definitely on the bloated side. I really don't know where they get their figures from, I only know one or two graphic designers in this area in the 40k range and they both have much more than one year of experience.

Funny you were talking about moving out. A friend of mine just sent me this link (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,303159,00.html). It's a little old, but still relevant.

thanks for the link interesting article. soon new jersey will beg to live in this state, only on the street that I live is 5 homes for sale and all of tham are moving out of state, soon I'm going to join tham too :D

[The_Black_Knight]

by the way I was looking salary.com report and it shows bottom line pay rate is 40.000$ year, for a graphic designer with 1 year experience, anyone knows if that web site is accurate?Is that for someone with a bachelor's degree or a certificate? That can make a big difference in salary.

[giozera]

Is that for someone with a bachelor's degree or a certificate? That can make a big difference in salary. I filled up profile with certificate, so it's showing with certificate owner

[Virgo Nightingale]

True, the degree can certainly make a difference. But even with a bachelor's, I don't see anyone around here making that kind of money with only a year of experience.