Historically there has been a pay gap between women and men in the United States, with that pay gap only growing larger for Black women, Native and Indigenous women, and Latinas. According to the Pew Research Center as of 2023 in comparison to White men, White women make 83% as much money. Comparatively, Black women earn 70% as much as White men, and Latinas make 65% as much. As of 2023, according to the American Association of University Women, Native American and Indigenous women make only 55% of what White men make. The factors contributing to these pay gaps are numerous, including the underrepresentation of women (especially women of color) in mid-to-high level positions in high-paying fields such as STEM, sexism in the workplace, and the intersections of sexism and racism experienced by women of color.
One key way in which women can fight back against this pay inequity is by negotiating their salaries. While this is not always an option for all jobs, knowing how to negotiate for more equitable and fair pay is an excellent skill to have in your pocket as you continue your career development journey.
Historically it has been believed that women are overall less likely than men to attempt to negotiate their salary for their first job. However, this has changed over time. According to a 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center, the gap between women and men for salary negotiations has narrowed to a 4% difference (28% of women compared to 32% of men). The benefits to negotiating your first salary are numerous. According to Forbes, 66% of workers who attempt to negotiate their starting salaries are able to secure a higher offer than what was initially presented to them. Having a higher starting salary sets people up for future success down the line, as promotions and bonuses are frequently calibrated based on your starting salary. Having a higher starting salary in your current position is also beneficial in being able to negotiate your salary with future employers as well, both in terms of having prior experience and knowing what goes into negotiating and in terms of having a baseline to work off of when making lateral career moves (i.e. working the same position level in the same field with a different company).
The first step to negotiating your salary is doing your research. Specifically, look up the average salary in your area for the position you are currently working or the position you are being hired for. You can do this by either seeing if the company has publicly available data on compensation ranges for your position, or by using websites such as salary.com, Glassdoor, or Indeed to find anonymously reported salary information. Once you have the information on what the average pay for your position is, you can use that as a baseline to determine your desired salary in relation.
Another important part of negotiating your salary is to know your own worth. Go over your résumé and take note of your skills and past experiences. Reflect on the impact that you had in your previous roles and how you could articulate that impact and your skills in your salary negotiation talks. Specifically, think about what unique skills, accomplishments, or experiences you have that may make you stand out from others in your position/organization or other candidates! If you want help in learning how to market and articulate your skills and expertise, you can make an appointment with one of our career coaches! Knowing your value and being confident in articulating your skills, knowledge, and impact is crucial to negotiating your salary.
One other consideration to make in your negotiations beyond pay is benefits. Look at the current benefits that you have or are being offered and see if they are comprehensive or if you want more benefits or different benefits! For example, you could think about health benefits, paid time off/vacation days, work-from-home options, flexible work hours, family leave, and professional development opportunities/funds as you plan out your talking points.
Once you know how you want to articulate your skills and worth and know what your goals are for negotiation, it is vital to practice your pitch! Write down what you want to say in your salary negotiation talks, and practice practice practice. Doing this will help you stay on track in the conversation to come, and improve your confidence in making your requests. Practice in front of the mirror in the mornings leading up to the negotiation, practice in front of your friends or family, and practice in front of a trusted colleague! Confidence and firmness in your delivery is key, and practicing will make the conversation go smoother.
Salary negotiation and leading conversations on fair compensation is a topic that can often seem overwhelming or intimidating, especially for people with identities that have historically been underpaid compared to cisgender, heterosexual White men. If you have any questions or concerns regarding navigating job offers, salary negotiations, or anything else career related, you can make an appointment with one of our career coaches. Another excellent resource for navigating salary negotiations for women is the UConn Women’s Center! Keep an eye out on their website and social media pages for upcoming Start Smart – Salary Negotiations for Women workshops, or request a workshop for your student organization!
