How to Determine Desired Salary Range for Your Employees
Determining the desired salary range for your employees is a valuable first step of the hiring process. Crafting a salary range gives the employee clarity and ensures new hires are comfortable with the salary and benefits.
To streamline salary selection, take stock of the proven techniques for this process. This article will cover the basics of how to determine desired salary range for your employees, and will help you understand the factors that go in to employee salary negotiations (from the employer's perspective).
What is the Desired Salary?
The desired salary range is the amount of money you would want to be paid for a new employment. When filling out job applications and attending interviews, it's usual to be unclear about what to enter for the desired pay. If you choose a figure that is too low, your employer may gladly accept it and pay you less than you are worth.
If you quote an unrealistically high desired wage, you risk losing the position. It's critical to have a good plan in place for handling the issue of your desired wage, so you can quote a figure that will likely obtain you appropriate remuneration for the position. When it comes to pay, you as a candidate have a few options.
You may address it directly by providing a range, provide some more negotiating flexibility by allowing for non-cash compensation in addition to pay, or try to avoid the subject in the meanwhile (based on where you are in the interview process). Here are some pointers for any of these techniques.
Give a Range
Offering a salary range allows you and the company more freedom, making salary negotiations more comfortable than stating an exact number. When you give a range, bear in mind that the employer may offer the low end of the range, so make sure your target figure is near to the lower end of the range you offer. You should also keep the range reasonably narrow, with a maximum variance of $10,000.
Include Non-cash Bargaining Options
Non-cash benefits, like flexible schedule options, health insurance, and student loan assistance, enhance the total compensation package and may help you and the potential employer align on a fair compensation agreement that benefits everyone.
Avoid Answering the Question
If you're still early in the hiring process and still learning the intricacies of a role's tasks and expectations, you may want to postpone the salary discussion until later. Keep in mind, though, that you will eventually need to discuss salary, and you will want to have a realistic amount in mind, backed by thorough market research.
Examine your Compensation Expectations
Before deciding on a desired salary range, it's a good idea to research what others in your position and sector are earning. Fortunately, there are certain programs that make this really simple.
These free salary calculator tools and reports will show you prospective incomes for your job and expertise, as well as allow you to modify variables such as location and industry. These are useful for setting a baseline for pay discussions or evaluating what the compensation may be for a role that isn't included on the job post.
Identify Open Positions
Start by identifying the job title and skill set required for the positions you must fill and identify the skills required for those positions, which will guide your expected salary calculations. Determine how many hours you expect the person to work.
If you are hiring a daycare worker, this number could be up to 60 hours a week, and a company executive would likely only require about 20 hours per week. Calculating this number will give you a target range for the number of hours each position requires.
Have a Budget for your Desired Salary Range
Next, calculate the base salary you can afford to offer, considering your company size and financial goals. Review company profit margins. Consider the employee’s position in the company and your salary budget for each employee and their salaries. If you don’t have the budget for the target salary range and employee profile, you may have to reconsider your selection.
Stay Competitive
Once you've decided how much you're going to offer an employee, it's time to analyze your competition. What are other local businesses in your industry offering employees in similar positions? This corporate analysis can help you stay competitive in a booming labor market, ensuring you offer competitive salaries.
Even if the role at your business has a unique skill level, it's crucial to consider the good salary range of your local competitors to ensure fair salary offers. Some employers offer a salary range 10-to-20% higher than their main competitors in the area. They hope to attract candidates who are more financially minded than they are focused on the working environment alone.
Location
Location independence plays a huge part in determining how much people can earn as well. For example, employees in New York City, where rent is high and everyday items such as food and clothing are also very expensive, will require a higher salary than those living in smaller towns across the country.
Rates
There are three scales for determining what an employee should cost: market rates, competitive rates, and below competitive rates. Understanding which one applies in a given situation will allow you to make the best decision on how to proceed with interviews and compensation negotiations to get a desirable outcome.
Market rates, determined by job application postings, salary data, and surveys, dictate the potential earnings for a position, considering an individual's hands-on experience and skill level. Competitive rates are based on the average salary someone would earn in a comparable role within the same industry standards, reflecting the cost of living and total compensation expectations.
This rate may be slightly lower than the job posting rate but still competitive for the industry or region. Below competitive rates serve as your ideal baseline for new hires with limited experience or those needing specialized training, aligning with benefits package considerations and salary requirements.
Taxes
A final note about calculating salary ranges - do not forget about taxes! Make sure that when calculating salary ranges that this expense has been included in your accounting.
Other Considerations When Setting Employee Salaries
Setting the right salary for a new hire is critical, not only for attracting top talent but also for maintaining a healthy financial balance within your company. Here are some additional considerations that can help you navigate this process effectively.
Mind Your Finances
When determining an employee’s salary, it's essential to have a well-defined budget. Each new position should have a salary range that aligns with both the market standards and your financial capabilities. According to Laura Handrick, owner of Laura H Consulting, business owners face a pivotal decision: whether to position themselves as employers who offer top talent competitive wages or as those who pay just enough to fill positions. This salary question is crucial because it can define your company's brand and its appeal to potential employees.
It's also vital to look beyond individual salaries and consider the total compensation impact on your business. Discussing salary isn't just about numbers; it involves strategic thinking about how salary commitments will affect your company's financial health.
For instance, offering stock options might be a way to attract higher salaries demands without immediate cash outlay, but this can mean less budget available for other roles. Deciding on a salary range that allows for future raises is also critical, ensuring you don't start an employee at the top of the range and have no room for increases, which could hamper retention.
Moreover, be mindful of your salary expectations and how they align with average salaries in your industry. This understanding helps in maintaining a competitive edge and ensures that you are not outpriced by larger companies or underpaying compared to smaller company standards. By keeping a detailed salary history, you can make more informed decisions that are equitable and justify paid time.
Raise Employee Wages When You Can
As your employees grow within your organization, their expectations for compensation will likely increase. Setting a reasonable starting wage that includes room for raises, bonuses, and other forms of compensation is essential. For new jobs, consider implementing a wage increase after a three-month trial period or conducting annual salary reviews to adjust for inflation and performance.
Implementing such increases not only helps in retaining top talent but also demonstrates a commitment to fair employee treatment, which can significantly enhance your company's reputation. Remember, the salary question, as mentioned earlier, is not just a number but a reflection of the value you place on your employees and their contributions.
These strategies ensure that you are not just filling a field blank in your payroll but are investing in individuals who can contribute significantly to your organization's success. Providing a competitive edge through thoughtful compensation strategies can make a big difference in attracting and retaining skilled professionals.
Always aim to give a better idea of the average salary range during the hiring process, as discussed with the hiring manager. This transparency helps set clear salary expectations and fosters trust between you and your new hires.
Tips for Talking About Your Desired Salary Range
These pointers will help you discuss your income more comfortably:
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Maintain your confidence. If you appear unsure, the recruiting manager may use this as a chance to negotiate a significantly lower wage. Display a self-assured demeanor that expresses your knowledge of the value of your job.
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Use a wide variety. Providing a wage range, with your desired compensation near the bottom, allows both sides to negotiate.
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Respond with your own questions. If you're asked about your pay range during an interview, you can respond with your own questions. "I usually don't talk about my desired salary until I get a job offer; is that the case here? You might also inquire about bonuses, commissions, or other types of income.
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Give a reasonable pay. If the potential company is unable to fulfill your desired wage, the position is most likely not a suitable fit for you. Maintain a range that you are comfortable with.
Summary
Determine your desired salary range based on all three factors: the general budget set by the company; the market value of the position; and the skills of the applicant. This will help you cover all bases and manage company growth needs moving forward. Watch your spending closely.
If you find you're way over budget on a salaried role, it's time to reevaluate your expectations. Remember: in-demand skills are worth more money. If your applicant has skills that are unique or rare, then they could hold significant value to your business beyond their initial role.
Lastly, remember that once an offer has been made, you cannot easily withdraw your salary offer, ensuring both parties are on the same page regarding the current salary and total compensation package.
So avoid offering a salary until you have a clear indication of the employee’s potential value to your business. If they’re someone who excites you, make them an exciting offer in response. Generating invoices has been made easier than ever before with PayStubsNow. Discover more about our simple tools for creating and editing paystubs by contacting us today or viewing our applets!