for context, I am a biochemistry researcher. I love what I do, genuinely. I feel like I'm helping people within the bounds of what I can, and my work has real and lasting impact. But…
I haven't been in my field for very long, maybe ~3 years. everyone takes that as an excuse to pay me garbage. I get yearly raises, but they're only 30c or so. asked my employer if this year's raise would be following inflation and got a very cheerful “no!”
my parents bought a house here in the 90s as a high school dropout and a GED holder. I don't think I will ever be able to afford a house here, I can barely afford rent on a yearly basis. I've looked into other jobs, but they're all somehow paying less than what I already make or don't have the salary listed.
it's just…ridiculous. this is getting a little ranty and I apologize, but I need to get this off of my chest. it's hard to reconcile the fact that I love my work, that I would gladly do it no matter the pay range, but the system is set up so if I'm not paid over a certain amount I literally can't exist. I paid my own way through college for this?