I just got an email that my job is “very pleased to announce” 3% merit raises for next year. Inflation in 2023 was 4.4% and expected to be another 4.1% in 2024– so I’m being asked to eat a pay cut disguises as a merit increase. Not even a coat-of-living increase, which usually happen too, but won’t be happening this year.
I work in the public sector in a job I really like in a lot of ways, but I have a masters degree and don’t make the salary I should be making at all. I’m making less than the average salary for people with my degree by a lot; less even than the lowest 25th percentile average. I’d need to be making $3,000 more than I am to even be at the same adjusted pay rate that I was when I started in my role almost 2 years ago.
It’s just so frustrating because I don’t really want to move or change jobs, but I can’t afford the expensive area I live in on this salary. And while I’m skilled and charismatic, I can’t figure out how people get into things like consulting as a side hustle; the opportunities just seem limited in the public sector to break into consulting or something to make some money on the side and allow me to work my peaceful quiet little job I can tolerate for 40 hours a week.
Is anyone making this work?? Is everyone else in the public sector being increasingly crushed by inflation and bullshit, or are some of you figuring out how to make enough to live? I am just feeling increasingly defeated and miserable struggling every month when I should be “making it.”