<prompt> Human: I currently work for a international retail clothing store. I was hired on as a temp, and over a year worked my way up to department manager just as I was graduating college. I stayed in this position because I did not want to leave the town yet, and the job that was offered came with full dental, vision, healthcare and a 401k. I figured I could stay with this until I found something related to my studies. The particular store I work for is rather small, so it is a close-knit group of people. When I was offered my salary of 27k, my store manager at the time told me that I should not negotiate, and that the salary was much higher than most of the department managers. I was naive, knew nothing about negotiation, and trusted her so I accepted. I was also made to feel that I needed to accept then and there, and that I could not take time to think. Later I looked up the salaries posted on glass door for my position and found that they ranged from 28k-39.5k. I figured I was just on the low end of the spectrum for store with volumes similar to ours. Now, two years later, I feel that Ive been taken advantage of. I run 2 departments that have a combined penetration of around 13 of the stores business. On top of that, I am the only one capable of operating the power tools required to build our displays for the store, since they did away with the position that was responsible for building displays. I just recently got a 2k raise, and now make 29k, but I feel that this is probably the low end of where I should have started at. Is it unprofessional to bring this up to my district people? I just feel that I am being taken for a ride, but I also dont want to seem ungrateful after accepting this recent raise. Jobs in my area of study are hard to come buy, especially ones that make as much as I do now. Any input, including negotiation tactics, are super appreciated.  <response>: Everyone is replaceable, but that doesnt mean they wont pay you more if you ask. Talk to your boss or another boss type person for confidential advice. Ask them how you should go about asking for a raise or how to market yourself for a position with a higher pay grade. If the first person you approach isnt helpful, try talking to another leader. At the same time I highly suggest looking at entry-level positions in your field of study and getting in touch with people in that industry. The higher you move up in retail wont help you at all in an unrelated field, but it will be harder to switch fields the longer you wait. 