Question about Lab Wage

[EZR]

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I was recently offered a Research Assistant.I position at a preventive medicine lab (full time, benefits) at a local school and was told the wage is at $14/hr. This seemed low, so I asked to negotiate and they said they'd get back to me on Monday. The HR guy asked me on the spot what I wanted, and I was like, "Uhhh...erm, $16/hr?" And I wanted to face palm so bad. I should've said a MUCH larger range.

Anyways. What would be a reasonable rate to expect with a BS Bio degree? Am I being unreasonable? How should I proceed?

Thaaaaanks!

 

[MDOnlyWillDo]

Depends on where you live. In my area, if you work for the university, you work for the state- the salary for a given position is pretty much dictated by the state budget and the amount of experience you bring to the table. An entry level RA1 makes $14 an hour, regardless of bachelor's degree. An RA2 starts at $20, and has at least 2 years experience as an RA1.

 

[Pacna]

IMHO- If someone is willing to move you from $14 to $16, they're doing you a big solid. That's really quite a large increase just by you asking. Asking for "much higher" won't yield anything more.

I can't comment on how much that position typically makes, but if their increase doesn't do it for you, I think it's fair to say you should look elsewhere.

 

[235009]

I can't comment on how much that position typically makes, but if their increase doesn't do it for you, I think it's fair to say you should look elsewhere.

$14/hr ($26,880/yr full time) sounds about right for an entry level research assistant job. $16/hr ($30,720/yr) would be on the high end.

Realize that, unless you have some unique skill or knowledge that is specifically tailored to the job then you don't really have a leg to stand on when asking for a larger salary. It was a ballsy but not unreasonable move to ask for $16/hr and I'm glad you didn't aim higher. Whether you walk away if you're denied is based on your circumstance (how much you need the job and why) but keep in mind that having a job is better than no job and that what they are offering you is fair.

 

[Vans42]

$14/hr ($26,880/yr full time) sounds about right for an entry level research assistant job. $16/hr ($30,720/yr) would be on the high end.

I 100% agree with this - this is what you are looking at, and if you don't have much experience coming in, you probably will be starting in at the low end.

 

[Pacna]

$14/hr ($26,880/yr full time) sounds about right for an entry level research assistant job. $16/hr ($30,720/yr) would be on the high end.

Realize that, unless you have some unique skill or knowledge that is specifically tailored to the job then you don't really have a leg to stand on when asking for a larger salary. It was a ballsy but not unreasonable move to ask for $16/hr and I'm glad you didn't aim higher. Whether you walk away if you're denied is based on your circumstance (how much you need the job and why) but keep in mind that having a job is better than no job and that what they are offering you is fair.

+ it's easier to find a new job while you have a job. 😉