The first step to preparing to ask for a raise is to know your market value.

(If you want a negotiate a higher salary going into a new job position, click here.)

Without a clear idea of your market value, you have virtually no basis or anchor from which to request a change. You can’t just say, “I want to make more money.” or “I deserve more money.” You have to relate it to market demand and market value.

Market value information serves as a starting point for negotiating a higher wage.

Follow the steps below to find out how your current wage compares with the market.

1. Download and print the “How Much Should You Be Making?” worksheet.

2. Fill in the worksheet by first opening the free Summary Report of ADA's Compensation and Benefits Survey of the Dietetics Profession.* Go to page 9.

3. Referring to pages 9 to 14 of the Summary Report, complete the worksheet column with a dollar figure from each of the hourly wage categories. Use the wage listed under the 50th percentile column which matches you and your job position.

For example, looking at RD Hourly Wage by Years in Field on page 9, if you have worked in the dietetics field for seven years, line up the 5 - 9 years row with the hourly wage listed under the 50th percentile column. Record that figure on the worksheet.

* I recommend getting the book-length report of ADA's salary survey because it includes additional wage categories. Find it at ADA's online bookstore. Its modest member price can be leveraged into thousands in salary.

4. Find the lowest and highest hourly wage figures you recorded in the worksheet column to fill in your “market value range” at the bottom.

5. Compare your current hourly wage with your market value range. Determine whether your current wage is below, at, or above market value. If your hourly falls within the range, is it on the high end or low end? How can you use this data to present a solid case for raise?

6. Start the pay raise process to request either a competitive pay raise or a merit raise using the strength of your market value determination to make a solid case.