There is a science to negotiating your salary and employment terms, and knowing when and how to go about it takes research and planning.  Sometimes, your chances of success can be enhanced by earning an advanced traditional college degree, or even online education — but if you already have a degree, you have some negotiating power.    Let’s look at the example of social media professionals.  Here is a list of job titles and corresponding salaries, ranked by Career Bliss:

1 Content Manager  $59,678.00

2 Social Media Manager   $54,455.00

3 Social Media Intern   $34,660.00

4 Social Media Specialist   $47,443.00

5 Director, Social Media   $74,590.00

6 Social Media Strategist   $60,800.00

7 Social Media Coordinator  $40,519.00

8 Social Media Account Manager  $51,875.00

9 Social Media Analyst   $43,571.00

10 Social Media Product Manager   $90,000

If someone with one of these jobs is seasoned and talented  in one of these job areas, but is receiving sub-standard pay for even an intern, and their immediate supervisors have not mentioned a raise within 6 months or offered any performance evaluations, it is time for him or her to approach the boss and ask for a raise.  If you are genuinely having trouble living on the salary you earn, and you know that you have performed well enough to warrant a fair raise but your company is unwilling to negotiate with you, then that will at least let you know it is time to seek employment elsewhere.  You have nothing to lose by asking.

So you see, that is part of the science of salary negotiation.  It is not very difficult, it just takes a little thought and compromise from both sides.