<prompt> Human: Hi All, I was hoping for some advice with a job situation. Ive been working for the same company for roughly 7 years now. When I started it was mid-recession and, quite frankly, I was just happy to have job. I have an artistic background Fine Arts degree and I was hired as a Graphic Designer at a mid-sized corporation. I had about 10 years experience at the time Im not a kid, but in a different discipline and I took the job as entry level, making about 40k. Since then, theyve realized my talent and hard work and Ive been promoted twice, and changed job titles 3 times. Im now a Senior Web Developer web devdesign was always a passion. Ive never had more than a 3 raise, and no raises to accompany the promotions.I recently, at the suggestion from a friend, looked up the average salary ranges for web developers. To my surprise, theyre are considerably higher than what Im being paid now. Nearly double.I brought the issue up with HR. They said I needed to talk to my manager. I brought it up with my manager and was told to wait for the year end reviews. I brought it up recently at the year end review and was told theyd take care of me this year with a big raise.Its not official yet, I dont have an offer in hand, but through an insider in Accounting, I was told that taking care of me was going to be a raise from 47k to 52k. That doesnt being to align me with the industry averages, and is contrary to the discussions Ive had with management. I even provided them with links to relevant pages on sites like Salary.com. They know what range Im looking for.I believe theyre going to low-ball me, considerably, on purpose, knowing full-well what I should be making.What should I do?Year end raises are usually not discussions, they are simply youre going to get X amount in a form letter, mailed to me in December. Do I ask for more? HOW do I ask for more? I realize it will take a conversation with my manager that they wont want to have, but how do I ask for more money without retaliation on their part?Should I just accept it, and find another job where Im more appreciated, or should I fight for more?I like my job, but Im not going to cry if I need to leave. Its just work after all. Id prefer to stay, but if Im not going to be compensated reasonably, I dont think I can. Anyone have any advice? EDIT: You guys are awesome. RIP my inbox. I think the consensus is that I should definitely be job hunting. If for nothing less than just finding out what the market is like, but more than likely for a new position entirely. Thank you all so much for the advice. I really appreciate it. As many had guessed, Im not exactly confrontational, and theyve taken advantage of that. Time for that to end. Thanks again!Assistant: You can certainly ask for more, but I wouldnt fight for more in the sense of throwing down an ultimatum. If they arent willing to give you what you feel is fair as long as your idea of fair is inline with the marketplace, then start looking for another job. 52k is definitely on the very low end for a senior developer, though it wouldnt be bad for an entrymid-level developer in some regions. Human: but I wouldnt fight for more in the sense of throwing down an ultimatumYeah, I dont have another job lined up, so I dont really have any leverage, and I think thats what theyre counting on. 52k is definitely on the very low end for a senior developer, though it wouldnt be bad for an entrymid-level developer in some regions. Yeah, salary.com says it should be somewhere between 65-90k base salary plus benefits, for my area. Id even be happy with 65k. I just have a sneaking suspicion theyre going to aim well below that.  <response>: A current employer who senses that youre not ambitious will always lowball you as low as they possibly can when it comes to raises. Just the nature of the beast. You will almost always end up with a higher salary by making a jump, especially in technology.If you are in love with your workplacecoworkerscommute you can always try to play another companys offer against your current company and see if they will match or beat it. You just have to be prepared to walk away.Also, dont be happy with what you get. Always go for as much as you possibly can. Be confident. Theres a lot of hacks in this industry--if you can deliver, youre worth a premium. 