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Few people enter the healthcare industry for the salary. There are certainly easier ways to get rich. But that doesn’t mean that salary isn’t important, you shouldn’t be paid fairly, or that you shouldn’t be able to afford a good quality of life. Unfortunately, not all healthcare workers are paid as much as they should be, and some important workers even consider leaving their incredibly fulfilling and worthwhile jobs for higher pay in other industries.
If you work in healthcare and would like to earn more, here’s a look at some things you can do to increase your salary.
Gain New Skills
One of the best ways to increase your salary is to make yourself worth it. By gaining highly sought after skills, or skills that few people in your workplace have, you become an invaluable team member, and it becomes easier and more cost-effective to pay you more than to train someone else to replace you.
You can gain skills by studying, taking on volunteer work, volunteering for specific tasks or shifts, temporarily transferring to another department, or spending time with more experienced colleagues and learning from them. Reading books and watching videos to keep your skills and knowledge up to date can also be helpful.
Gain Experience
Experience is one of the best ways to increase your earning potential, and sometimes it’s even worth stepping back and earning less for a while to gain the experience that will make you invaluable in the long term. Volunteering in different settings or countries, applying for work experience in different healthcare settings or specialties, and even seeking work in different sectors can all be fantastic ways to become more experienced.
Gain Qualifications
No matter what area of healthcare you work in, there’s always the possibility for further study, which can increase your earning potential massively. You can learn more about the average MHA salary and how a master’s degree could help you to earn more to help you understand the benefits of further education.
Present Your Case
One of the best ways to get a pay rise is to ask for one. But before you do, think about why you deserve it. Make notes about your skills, experience, and the qualities that make you so important, and ask for a meeting with your manager. Present your case for higher pay calmly and professionally.
Ask for Feedback
If you are denied a pay rise or don’t get as much as you’d like, make sure you ask why and what you can do to improve. Gaining regular feedback is an excellent way to improve in the workplace.
Don’t Underestimate Yourself
When you are thinking about your skills, make sure you don’t underestimate your value or worth. If you tend only to see the negatives, talk to your colleagues, and ask them what you are good at.
Asking for a pay rise can be scary, but remember, you’ve got nothing to lose, and in most cases, you won’t get it if you don’t ask. Consider why you deserve to earn more or look at ways to ensure you are invaluable and speak to your manager about your options.
