I'd be looking for a higher wage job, and especially one that doesn't rely on bonuses to make it palatable.

bonus isnt salary, what does your position pay as average? how many years experience do you have doing it, there are a lot of questions here. generally, if you want me to work more than 40 hrs a week, we have a deep talk about the exchange in quality of life versus renumeration. basically, i need to get paid more to give up my life for you. only do salary if the benefits are way more. and get it in writing. a job descriptoion with expectations. no handshake shit. also, 54k for 55 hrs a week is not great. depending on where you live, could be minimum wage, or could be okay. as i said, find out how much people make for the saem job in the area. then add more for your experience and treaining. and come up with a number you think is fair, plus 15% on top for room to negotiate. and be prepared to jump if they wont be fair to you. dont fall for the oh, i pay you so well, or, i will give you a bigger bonus. get it in writing. or get more time off. or more vacay. just make sure you can live with it.

I’ve found the most effective way to get a raise at your current employer, is to have another offer (or offers) from a different company. Gives you the ability to walk away if the number you want isn’t there.

Your post reads as if your employer would have no problem trying to get over on you which gives you an even better reason to seek out other options.

I'm in a retail management position for a local business the company is highly profitable, I'm in Ohio making 19.50/hr. I've been here for 8 years and I'm relied on heavily for multiple roles outside of what I was hired for as well as day to day operations. The owner works along side us and I'm very much the 'goto guy'. We have an in-house tech department that the want me to take over in a couple years when the current guy retires, as I've done a lot of work along side him over the years. A lot of employees here work 6-7 days a week, I just feel like I'm compensated less than others because I've never spoken up and asked for more. I usually get .50 - 1.00 raise every year

2 weeks paid vacation No other benefits

He might. I'm not sure, I really like my employer and coworkers. But the amount of talk he gives me about being important to the future of the company, and his 'big plans for me' compared to the compensation provided just makes me weary.

Do some research on what you could earn in a similar position with another employer. Make your case to your current employer about the fair market pay for your range of responsibility. If they don't meet your expectations then be prepared to leave.

I wouldn't recommend waiting around for multiple years in the hope of replacing someone else - if you're underpaid now, your employer will likely just low-ball you in the new position as well.

I'd definitely be looking for another employer. If you can manage it during business hours, it never hurts to interview elsewhere and see what kind of offers you might get. What if you find out a similar role pays $34/hr and they offer you the job after you nail a few interviews? Would you stay at your current employer because you like them?

Edit to add, don't just look laterally. Look up. You know how to work the floor, you know how to run the tech department... what about management roles elsewhere? Come in as the guy with lots of experience ready for the next step in his career.

is it a "family" type place, as in we are a family. yeah, thats bs. 8 years in , they are taking advantage of you, and all your expereince and knowledge is worth more. lots more. you should set the bar at the total where you were with bonus. 69k. thats my salary, and i wont take less. i would ask for 75k. plus more time for vacay or tpto. and benefits, like 401k or some type of retirement matching. stop selling yourself short. the open market would start at that figure. retail sucks, the weekends and holidays you give up. the missed family events. my time is worth so much more. i left restaurants making 70k a year, all becasue i was working 55 or more hours per week. and getting no where. i work for 23.50 an hour now, mon through friday, 8 to 5. i gave up a ton of money, but i am 100x better off.

What are your options? Could you get a better paying job elsewhere?

If you don't think you are making enough, and your employer won't give you more, leaving is the obvious answer.

Depends on what you do, where you live, and how much experience you have. $54k would be a ton for some jobs, and it would be horrible for other jobs. Where I would start if I were you is to figure out your job title/role. Then do some research and see what the market rates are for your job title, with your experience, and where you live. That will give you an idea on whether or not your salary is in line with what others are making, doing what you do, and where you live.

$69K is below the median income in the USA.

This post has been removed because we don't allow career guidance, career path, and job choice questions (rule 9). Other subreddits are better equipped to address this topic:

• /r/jobs is a general discussion forum for job-related topics.

• /r/CareerGuidance is a place for individuals to ask questions and get advice about their careers.

• /r/FindAPath is a place for figuring out what you want to do (both career and education).

• If none of those subreddits seem to fit, ask on one of these job-related subreddits or ask on /r/Advice.

You may also want to ask on a career-specific subreddit, especially for any topic that depends on the job sector and career such as salary negotiation questions.

If you have questions about this removal, please message the moderators.