Help: Cardio position/1 yr experience

[CardioPA10001]

Hi everyone,

I need some help/perspective on my situation.

 

I'm currently making 88k annually as a cardiology PA at a major hospital system in NYC. I get 4 weeks PTO (inclusive of sick and holiday time), 1 week CME (in addition to $800), full health benefits, 403b (employee funded) and pension-like program (employer funded).  

 

I've been there one year (received a 3% raise since I started) and was a new grad when I was hired. It's my understanding a 3% raise is standard every year for my department. Am I getting the shaft with this position?!

 

So many of my colleagues complain about not making enough money and many have stated their friends (who are also PAs) got jobs right out of school with starting salaries in the low 90s (comparable specialties).  I went to a decent school and had a 3.5 GPA with great hands-on experience during my rotations and didn't get one offer in the 90s - in fact, almost every interview I went on I was told outright "NON NEGOTIABLE" for new grads.  So my question again is, am I getting the shaft? Am I being too kind and accepting? Am I somehow not aware of my worth/value as a PA?  I thought 88/yr was acceptable for 1 year of experience, but so many of the PAs where I work (most have <2 years exp) are leaving for "better paying jobs." Should I be demanding more? Please help.  

[cop to pa]

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20130816200159-131079-employee-retention-now-a-big-issue-why-the-tide-has-turned?_mSplash=1

 

This is an article on employee retention. It is not specific to healthcare, but can still be applicable. For the first two years, productivity is not where anyone wants it. Both you, and the employer, want you to be more productive. That is why you see lower salaries for new people. With more experience comes more productivity. Then, when you change jobs, you are able to 'get in the groove' faster than you could as a new grad.

 

With 1-2 years of experience, you are still in that 'new' phase, which is why you see lower salaries and less desire to negotiate. Now that you have experience, you can look.

 

Bear in mind, in not a PA, but have been a manager in the past. I do not live in, near, or around NYC and do not know their market.

 

Research your area's market. There are several PA salary reports out there. High 80's low 90's for a first job doesn't sound outrageous to me. But again, I don't know the geographic market.

[CardioPA10001]

Thanks for the reply, cop to pa. Can anyone else offer up some words based on years of experience as a PA??

[AliB]

I am not a "years of experience PA" either, but consider that some "new" grads have extensive HCE (or other marketable skills) from before PA school.  Prior experience made a difference in $$ for me as a new grad in the past.  

[MT2PA]

88k sounds low for the specialty, but I've also heard NYC is a pretty saturated market so it might be evening out.  1 year into practice seems a little too soon to be demanding more pay especially when you are getting the standard yearly raise.  I think this is a question you maybe needed to ask prior to accepting the position (or future positions). Once you've accepted a job, it's hard to negotiate large pay increases (again, esp after just 1 year and as a fairly new grad) compared to negotiating before starting.

 

Unfortunately a lot of times to get the pay you deserve you DO have to leave for new jobs (like your coworkers are doing).