Understanding Your Value: How to Know What You’re Worth in Today’s Market

Most professionals have a general sense of whether they’re underpaid or undervalued, but very few take the time to truly understand their worth. If you’re aiming for a promotion, pay rise, or even considering a move elsewhere, this is a crucial first step.

Why You Might Be Underselling Yourself

If you’ve been with your current employer for a while, it’s easy to lose sight of what you’re actually worth on the open market. Things change quickly – roles evolve, expectations shift, and salaries move. Many professionals don’t realise how their value has increased over time.

You might be contributing millions in revenue or delivering projects that transform the business, but if you haven’t stepped back to assess your impact, you could be undervaluing yourself. And that means others will too.

Three Ways to Get Clear on Your Market Value

1. Do Your Research
The internet has made salary benchmarking easy. Years ago, you'd have relied on outdated salary surveys or peer gossip. Now, reliable data is a few clicks away.

Look at:

• Salary surveys from professional bodies or recruiters

• Live job adverts with listed salary ranges

• Discussions with peers, mentors, or trusted contacts

2. Create a Career Autobiography
This is a personal record of everything you’ve achieved, grouped by skills or competencies. If you’ve contributed to major wins – cost savings, new revenue, operational improvements – document them. This will give you hard evidence to support a pitch for more pay or responsibility.

3. Get Feedback and Keep Notes
Even if your employer doesn’t do formal reviews, there’s nothing stopping you asking for feedback. A quick conversation with a manager, or a thank-you email from a stakeholder, can help you build a case. Log it. Keep it. Use it when you need to.

Think Beyond Base Salary

Knowing your worth isn’t just about salary. It’s also about:

• Bonuses

• Pension contributions

• Equity

• Perks (e.g. car allowance, healthcare, flexible working)

• Opportunities for development or progression

Some offers may look great on paper but fall short when you consider the full picture – or vice versa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often should I check my market worth?
A: At least once a year, especially if you're not moving roles. It's a good habit to stay current.

Q: What if I discover I’m underpaid?
A: Start building your case. Don’t go in with “I’ve done the research”. Instead, gather achievements, align your pitch with value delivered, and wait for the right moment.

Q: I’ve been told I’m doing well – isn’t that enough?
A: Not always. Praise is great, but it’s not a substitute for a proper pay or promotion discussion. You’ll need to show the impact of your work, not just effort.

Q: Can I ask recruiters what I’m worth?
A: Yes. A good recruiter can give insight into market demand and salary expectations for your type of role.

Q: What if I’m happy where I am?
A: Still do the work. Even if you’re not planning a move, knowing your worth helps you make informed decisions – and gives you leverage when needed.