If you believe you are being paid too little, consider the following actions.

• According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in April 2023, sixty percent of U.S. workers did not request higher pay when they were last hired.
• It is advised by career experts to conduct market research prior to requesting higher compensation or seeking new employment opportunities.
• Experts stated that a pay disparity between two similar employees may not be intentional on the part of the employer and could be caused by market conditions.

As an ad sales account executive at a major news organization in New York City, Kelly Harry began her career early in the city.

"Harry shared with CNBC that he used to believe he was making a lot of money at $40,000 a year until he talked to a co-worker who was complaining about making $102,000 a year. This conversation made him realize he was underpaid."

New grads can secure employment despite hiring downturns by following these tips.

Harry, an immigrant in the U.S. on DACA, expressed gratitude for working at a renowned organization. DACA, a federal policy, offers temporary work authorization to eligible young adults who were brought to the U.S. as children.

It's common for U.S. workers not to negotiate their salary when offered a job, as 60% of workers in an April 2023 Pew Research Center survey admitted. Out of the rest, 30% said they asked for higher pay and 10% couldn't recall.

Why some workers are paid more

"According to Maddie Machado, founder of Career Finesse, the difference between someone who earns $55,000 and $60,000 is often due to a simple request. It is not because the individual is more skilled or experienced, but rather because they asked for it."

The difference in pay between two similar workers could be caused by market conditions. A phenomenon known as "wage compression" can happen when new employees are paid more than long-term employees because they were hired when the market valued their skills more.

Peter Cappelli, a professor of management at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and the director of its Center for Human Resources, stated that an objective person might argue that pay differences are not significantly different or that there are justifications for them.

Do market research on pay and skills

Harry researched the market demand for her skills after discovering her colleague was paid 2½ times more than she was.

"Sho Dewan, a career expert and founder of Workhap, advised against using the term "underpaid" to compare oneself to a colleague. Instead, it should be compared to oneself and the market, and there will always be a range in the market."

"Machado explained to CNBC that compensation is a complex issue with many factors involved, and it cannot be determined by a straightforward formula such as years of experience, education, or location."

It's likely that you will be placed in the middle of the range for your position, according to Machado.

Considering the cost of living, it's important to factor in your location, Machado said.

How to request a salary adjustment

A March 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that only 34% of Americans are content with their salary.

To request a salary adjustment from your employer, it's important to be prepared, according to career coaches.

"Dewan advised against bringing up another co-worker's name in the conversation and suggested not saying, "I had a conversation with Henry. I know we had the same experience [and] the same skills. I realized that he gets paid 20% more than me. I want the same salary as him.""

Your performance review and market research will be useful in this situation.

"To get paid more, you can't just approach your employer and say, 'I want to be paid more based on vibes,' Machado said. Instead, you need to provide evidence of the value you've brought to the company during your salary negotiation."

It's also important to avoid escalating to threats, Cappelli said.

"According to Cappelli, bosses often don't want to let employees go, but those at the top who are trying to maintain pay limits say, "I'm sorry, we can't do it. Good luck.""

When to find a new position

If your employer is unresponsive to a salary increase request, you may want to consider leaving, but career counselors advise proceeding with caution.

"If that doesn't work out for any reason, that's when you need to ask yourself, "Will I ever get paid what I'm worth?" Dewan said. And if the gap between what you're getting paid and market value is too wide, that's when you should explore other options."

If you receive an outside offer, you can attempt to use it to negotiate for more money from your current employer.

"Some employers want you to shake them down by matching an offer if you get it from another place, although it's a bad practice, Cappelli said."

"Sometimes it's easier to just jump ship," Dewan said.

That's what Harry did.

"I stumbled upon a superior opportunity, which turned out to be remote and a healthier environment. As a result, I am now an assistant VP. If I hadn't had that experience, I likely wouldn't have been able to achieve this position today."

If you believe you are being underpaid, career experts recommend you watch the video above for advice.