Job seekers feel discouraged by lack of raises
14 posts across 6 communities in the last 90 days; 36% from r/careerguidance.
“So I've been working in my company for a couple of months already and my results have been very good. I think it's time for me to ask for a raise but I've never done it before so I don't really know how... does anyone have advice?”
“I'm 26F and desperately in need of a raise. I started PT at my job and trained in a bit of everything, eventually going FT before becoming a supervisor and ultimately a manager. From when we opened in May 2025 until I became a manager at the start of 2026 there were only 2…”
“I am strongly considering asking my boss for a raise very soon. I’ve been in HR for almost 10 years, but have never done this for myself. I’ve been at my current company for 1.5 years and feel like I have become a trusted contact within the organization, managed the team…”
Several users express disappointment and demotivation after being promised raises that never materialized, leading to feelings of frustration and a desire to seek new employment. One user felt embarrassed about wearing a uniform due to low pay.
SOURCES (14)
“So I've been working in my company for a couple of months already and my results have been very good. I think it's time for me to ask for a raise but I've never done it before so I don't really know how... does anyone…”
“I'm 26F and desperately in need of a raise. I started PT at my job and trained in a bit of everything, eventually going FT before becoming a supervisor and ultimately a manager. From when we opened in May 2025 until I became a manager at the start of 2026 there were only 2 managers, and the workload sucked. After I became a manager things got a lot easier and a lot of the time I felt I got paid too much compared to what my responsibilities were. In late spring of this year my fellow manager”
“I am strongly considering asking my boss for a raise very soon. I’ve been in HR for almost 10 years, but have never done this for myself. I’ve been at my current company for 1.5 years and feel like I have become a trusted contact within the organization, managed the team throughout tough transitions, trained new employees, and have really grown in my role. If you have asked for raises before, would love to know some details about the circumstances that led to you asking. For example: what was yo”
“This is my first full-time job. I've been here for 16 months, was rated Exceptional in my yearly review, but got a pro-rated 2% raise and currently make ~65k. After significant turnover, I’ve taken on my original inventory/planning responsibilities plus the full production scheduling function (responsibilities of a team member with 4 years at the company paid ~70k). The company is hiring to replace the vacant role but at a lower operational level, and it's unclear how the responsibilitie”
“Hi all, I’m looking for advice on my first full-time job salary. I graduated with my bachelor’s last spring. I work in the Chicago suburbs. I was hired 6 months ago for $25/hour as a part-timer at the company I’m currently at. My sole job was to update their website’s SEO and upload some new photos (respectfully, all of my colleagues here are terrible with technology as they have not kept up with the times). I went above this and gave the website a brand new look since it hadn’t been updated in”
“Hello everyone Im looking for some advice on how to broach the subject of asking for a raise. For context, this is my first career level job out of college and I have been working here for a bit over 2 years. We are a geologic consulting firm and the company is relatively small so I know by bosses on a 'personal' level (you know, personal but still professional). My starting wage was $30/hr. I have gladly taken on higher level and niche responsibilities since starting. We don't do of”
“Hello everyone Im looking for some advice on how to broach the subject of asking for a raise. For context, this is my first career level job out of college and I have been working here for a bit over 2 years. We are a geologic consulting firm and the company is relatively small so I know by bosses on a 'personal' level (you know, personal but still professional). My starting wage was $30/hr. I have gladly taken on higher level and niche responsibilities since starting. We don't do of”
“Hi, been working at a per diem job for over 10 months. When I initially asked for my price point, they didn’t give it to me as it was a new field for me (UC) Now, I would like to ask for a raise. But I am honestly a bit hesitant/ scared it could unsettle tension. I’ve only got good feedback from patients and from the stag and I’ve picked up a considerable shifts, always available, and do evening hours. Any ways to go about it? It isn’t my full time job, but I do enjoy this job a considerable amo”
“In January 2026, I had my performance review, which didn't go the way I expected. As one of the more senior people on the team, I anticipated a promotion in level, a raise, or a higher bonus reflecting my performance. Instead, I was given a raise that was framed as being for my individual work — but I later discovered everyone on the team received the exact same increase, which was actually a market-wide adjustment rather than anything tied to performance. Meanwhile, I found out that multipl”
“I just feel behind in my career compared to my peers. I’m in mid 20s and making less than my first job out of college. I was laid off from my first job due to performance and threw a wrench in my self confidence in my capability in continuing as swe. after being unemployed for 8 months I found a job due to a connection working for a startup. the pay is low and making less than what I use to make at first job but I’ve been at this role for almost 1.5 years now. I look at my peers and they are adv”
“I started work 2 and a half months ago. I am almost reaching the end of my probationary period in a couple weeks. The thing is, this job is very demanding. I’m essentially a one-man department at my company (healthcare). I get paid $24 an hour and feel like I am not receiving enough for the things I am doing. There are many things I do that were not included in the job description, including spanish-speaking (im the only one in the back office that can handle spanish-speaking patients) and cover”
“Hi all, I (23M) have been working in retail sales for 4 years, I secured a leadership role around 6 months ago (was offered a leadership position twice before declined because of absolutely silly commute for one, heard about toxic ‘revolving door’ environment for the other). Safe to say I am not enjoying it, 3hr daily commute, been given a low performing, low motivation and high maintenance team in a high potential (high expectation) area. For meady base pay (just £3k gross annual bump from prev”
“I don't know what to prioritize when looking for a job. Im looking for comfort and easy work and high pay but then I seen people who work usually takes years to reach that level. I had a friend who felt embarrassed to wear a uniform to work and he felt discouraged about the fact the pay was low. And boss and management didn't treat workers nicely. submitted by /u/Lemonade2250 [link] [comments]”
“long story short, I didn’t get a raise after a full year of being told I would, with a lot of back and forth and “it’s happening, just next quarter now.” there’s no explanation for it and I didn’t have time to properly address it because layoffs happened the next week. I am looking for a new job, but I am stuck here for at least another few months because I anticipate that’ll take some time. how do you regain motivation? I still like my job and I am getting my work done but it is getting harder”