Signs You're Not Earning Enough: How To Know If You're Underpaid

In Nigeria, money is not just a means of survival—it’s a measure of success. You work hard every day, putting in the hours, and making sacrifices, but sometimes, despite your efforts, you’re left wondering: "Am I earning enough?" It’s a question many Nigerians have, especially with rising inflation and the cost of living that never seems to go down. If you constantly feel like your salary isn’t stretching as far as it should or you’re putting in more work than the paycheck reflects, then you may be underpaid. But how can you know for sure?

Being underpaid can leave you feeling frustrated and demotivated. It can also hinder your financial progress. Let’s take a look at the signs that you might not be earning enough and how to handle the situation when you discover that your salary isn’t what it should be.

1. Your Salary is Below the Industry Standard

One of the clearest signs that you might be underpaid is if your salary is below the average for your role in the industry. Every profession has a standard salary range based on location, experience, and the company you work for. In Nigeria, there are certain benchmarks for various jobs, whether you’re in banking, IT, healthcare, or marketing. If your salary is way below what your colleagues or others in similar roles are earning, it’s a red flag that you’re being underpaid.

How to Handle It: Research the average salary for your job in Nigeria. Platforms like Jobberman, Glassdoor, or even asking colleagues in similar positions can give you an idea of the market rate. Once you have this information, you’ll be in a better position to negotiate for a raise or look for better opportunities elsewhere.

2. You Haven’t Had a Raise in Over Two Years

In Nigeria, inflation is no joke! Prices of goods and services keep going up, and if your salary remains stagnant, your purchasing power reduces. Ideally, you should be getting a raise every year or at least every two years, especially if you’ve been delivering consistently on your job. If you’ve been working for the same company for years and haven’t had a raise, even though your responsibilities have increased, it’s a sign that you’re not being compensated fairly.

How to Handle It: Schedule a meeting with your boss to discuss your salary. Be prepared to provide reasons why you deserve a raise—highlight your achievements, contributions to the company’s success, and any additional responsibilities you’ve taken on. If your company values your work, they will consider increasing your pay.

3. You’re Struggling to Keep Up with Expenses

Are you constantly living from paycheck to paycheck? Do you find yourself borrowing money to cover essential bills like rent, transportation, and food before the month ends? While it’s true that personal financial management plays a role, struggling to meet your basic needs can also be a sign that your salary isn’t enough. If your income can barely cover your living expenses, it’s time to question whether you’re being underpaid.

How to Handle It: Take a look at your expenses and compare them to your income. If there’s a gap, it might be time to either ask for a raise or consider a side hustle to supplement your income. In Nigeria, many people run businesses on the side while working full-time jobs. You can explore options like freelancing, online businesses, or even offering services within your community.

4. You’re Overworked but Not Compensated for Extra Effort

If you’re putting in extra hours—working late nights, weekends, or even during holidays—and not seeing any reflection of that in your paycheck, you may be underpaid. In Nigeria, it’s common for employees to go the extra mile to meet deadlines or help their companies grow, but that extra effort should come with proper compensation. If your job keeps expanding but your salary remains the same, it’s a clear sign that you're being undervalued.

How to Handle It: Discuss your workload and compensation with your employer. If you’re taking on more responsibilities than your role initially required, bring this up during your performance review. Be clear about how your contributions have increased and request that your pay be adjusted accordingly.

5. Your Colleagues in Similar Roles Earn More

This one stings! It’s hard to stay motivated when you find out that your colleagues, doing the same job as you, are earning more. While salary is usually a private matter, sometimes information slips out during casual conversations or through trusted sources. If you discover that your co-workers earn significantly more than you for the same work, it’s a definite sign that you’re underpaid.

How to Handle It: Approach the situation with caution. Don’t immediately confront your employer out of frustration. Instead, gather your facts and have a polite conversation with your boss or HR about your compensation. Highlight your performance, and make a case for why you should be earning the same as your colleagues.

6. Your Employer Isn’t Open to Salary Discussions

If every time you bring up the subject of salary, your employer shuts down the conversation, this could be a sign that you’re not being compensated fairly. Employers who value their staff understand that open communication about compensation is important for employee satisfaction. If they’re unwilling to discuss it, it’s a sign they might be aware that you're underpaid and are avoiding the conversation.

How to Handle It: Be persistent. It may be uncomfortable, but it’s your right to ask for fair compensation. If your employer still refuses to address the issue, it might be time to start looking for other job opportunities where you’ll be valued and fairly compensated.

Conclusion

Being underpaid can have long-term effects on your financial stability, mental well-being, and job satisfaction. Recognizing the signs is the first step to ensuring you get what you deserve. If you suspect you’re not earning enough, take action. Research industry standards, have a candid conversation with your employer, and if necessary, explore other job opportunities or additional income streams. Your hard work deserves to be rewarded!