For Seven Years, I Was the Company’s Bargain. Today, I Showed Them My True Price.

Summary

Walking past the stairwell, I overheard two interns whispering about their salaries.

"Take a guess, what did I get? $85,000!"

"Not bad! I just cleared $75,000."

I froze in my tracks.

I have been at this company for exactly seven years.

My first year, my starting salary was $35,000.

My second year, it bumped to $36,000. The boss called it an "exceptional exception."

My third year, I started leading teams independently. My salary went to $39,000.

Years four, five, and six... my salary didn't budge a single cent.