What determines your salary?

By setting the proper value on the services you provide, you will set your rates where you can charge what you deserve and also be successful. How do you know if you are charging enough?
Consider these things:

1. Your Training- Consider how much education have you had to build the expertise that you offer in your services? Know what skills make you unique from your competitors or colleagues who offer the same services/ are in the same position as you. Your employer will be paying you for your expertise, and will be paying you for what they need from you. Therefore, never underestimate the value of that – your employer will only pay for time spent getting their top notch work done. You are the expert, after all!

2.  Your experience- Think of how much work experience you have in providing the services you offer to your clients? Your employer should be paying you for your years of experience as well. Experience is equivalent to time spent on task and this contributes to your expertise. The thing you do with the least amount of effort is the thing you should be charging the most for.. and that only comes from experience! For instance, those in management level work less but earn the most, while the others work more and earn less.

3.Your own growth- Most Kenyans Lack a reading culture. No wonder someone said that “If you want to hide something from a Kenyan, keep it in books.” Make it a habit to keep learning something new every day. By being in continuous learning mode, you will always be growing within your profession and maintaining that expert status. In fact, to become an expert you only need to read 3 books on a particular subject.
Also, consider working with a mentor to help in your own growth as a professional. Study new areas of your profession and keep on top of your ideal client industry trends. Being proactive will always keep you ahead of the curve and this will keep your pipeline of clients and potential clients full.

4. Your confidence- One of the biggest parts of valuing yourself is your confidence level. Confidence comes with experience, for sure, but it’s important to feel good about what you are charging. Remember you should not overcharge or undercharge your value. How confident are you that your rates are high enough? Setting your rates to be the ‘market’ price or the best deal in town, is potentially announcing your lack of confidence to the world.
When you really understand your own value, you will be able to convey that to your clients/ employer, and they will recognize your value as well. You will not fell under paid.