How to calculate your worth

Whether you’re looking for a pay rise, considering a career change, or about to get promoted, it’s important to know how much you’re worth. While these salary discussions can be awkward, some of the greatest skills you can have are negotiating and understanding the value of the work that you do.

Not sure where to start? Here are several tips to help you get on the right track.

Know your metrics

Wondering how much you might be worth to your employer? Make sure you track metrics so that you know how much of an impact you have on your company’s bottom line. When it comes time for you to have a job review, you need to be prepared so that you can argue for and justify a pay rise.

Keep a tab on how your role has directly moved the needle. Did you implement a lean approach to doing things that saved the company a heap of money? Were you the lead on a new project that has proved to be highly successful? Were you the brainchild of a successful campaign that has performed better than past campaigns? You need to make this known.

Know your market rate

Your salary should be based on your experience, knowledge, skills and location. A good way to measure whether you’re being underpaid is to look at what other people in your field, at your level, and in your location are being paid.

There are a number of resources to help you get the numbers you need. The latest Michael Page Australia Salary Guide will you give you a comprehensive insight into Australia's job market and salary trends. It will help you understand your worth and confidently negotiate higher wages.

Secondly, have a look at popular job board sites relevant to your industry. This is a useful way to understand what new hires in similar roles are being offered. Not all job advertisements will disclose salary, but on sites like Seek, you should be able to enter a range into your search and see if roles like yours pop up. Take a look at the responsibilities of the role and if they are similar to what you currently do. This gives you a bit of a benchmark for the average salary range you should be sitting within.

Thirdly, lean on your network! Whether you work in marketing, technology, administration, project management or finance, you’ll surely have a network of people around you who work in similar positions. If you’re uncomfortable speaking to your peers, then it might be worth it to have a confidential chat with a recruiter to understand how your workplace compares to the competition.

RELATED: Average salaries in Australia: are you being paid enough?

Know what’s within your control

Once you’ve done your online research and spoken to your contacts who work in the same sector, it’s a good idea to get an understanding of what’s within your control. In some industries, there will be factors that are extremely rigid and there may be little you can do about it.

Work at a university or in the public sector? Your role may be subject to an award classification, which means that your pay rate will be decided based on a classification level under that specific award. Employees who are subject to an award generally get moved up a level based on years of experience, tasks and responsibilities, and qualifications and training. Roles can change, so make sure you look at a level above your award to see if you qualify for a pay rise.

Similarly, a corporate company might have an internal pay scale, so have a conversation with your manager about salary policies within the company. Some companies limit compensation increases or have a salary scale in place to ensure people are being paid fairly.

Before you ask for a promotion, you also need to refer to your contract and your company’s financial cycles. Been at a company for less than a year? You might only get a pay review after 12 months. Some companies may only give pay rises at the end of each financial year, so make sure you understand these finer details before you ask for a raise.

Australian salary calculator

Receiving a salary increase from your employer is exciting and that first pay day will feel so satisfying. Keep in mind, a pay raise will increase your taxable income which means you'll also be paying more income tax. If you'd like to calculate what your take home pay will be for a particular pay period or pay cycle (e.g. paid weekly, monthly or annual salary), using a pay raise calculator is the easiest option.

The Australian Government has a pay calculator to accurately calculate how much of your new salary will land in your bank account after income tax, Medicare levy, superannuation, student loans and any other deductions using the most up to date tax rates for the current tax year.

ATO Income Tax Calculator Australia

If you're an employee, thankfully your employers payroll department will pay tax for you, but if you're a contractor or freelancer, you'll need to manage this carefully. Always choose online salary calculators with caution to ensure the information is accurate otherwise you may get a shock at tax return time. If you find taxes overwhelming (let's be honest, most working Australians do), then please reach out to an accountant to assist you tax withholding, whether you're eligible for any tax offsets like the low income tax offset etc.

Ready to negotiate your pay rise?

Negotiating for a pay rise successfully requires careful preparation and effective communication skills. To recap, gather information about your industry's standards and salary benchmarks to determine a reasonable increase. Next, focus on highlighting your accomplishments, skills, and contributions to the company during your tenure.

Schedule a meeting with your manager and be confident, yet respectful, when discussing your request. Clearly articulate the reasons why you believe you deserve a pay rise, emphasising how your work has positively impacted the organisation.

Present specific examples of projects you have successfully completed or additional responsibilities you have taken on. It is essential to remain open to constructive feedback and be prepared to discuss alternative forms of compensation if an immediate salary increase is not possible.

Finally, maintain a professional and positive attitude throughout the negotiation process, and be willing to negotiate on other terms if necessary. Remember that negotiation is a two-way process, so be prepared to listen and consider the employer's perspective. By demonstrating your value and providing compelling evidence, you increase your chances of securing a successful pay rise negotiation.