'We're doing the exact same job': Employee finds out coworker they trained is being paid 20% more, considers bringing it up in salary review meeting

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Oct 21, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

It is a cruel reality of the modern workplace that the pay scale at many companies is not exactly fair, or even particularly organized. As much as some look down on job hopping, it has to be said that when it comes to the corporate modern landscape, it is one of the few guaranteed ways to achieve consistent salary rises. 

As well as this, those who want to make sure that they earn more money over time often have to take a 'don't ask, don't get' attitude for that to become a reality. There are plenty of businesses out there who will happily may more experienced employees less than newer ones just because they don't ask questions, and they don't feel obliged to give them the current market rate. When colleagues start talking about salaries, this can mean that there are certain scenarios where things get pretty awkward pretty quickly.

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  • 01
    four people sit at a table strewn with papers and notebooks, having a discussion
    via Vitaly Gariev

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • In this story, an employee was chatting with their team at work when they were upset to learn that a coworker who had joined the company after them was earning 20% more than they were for the same job. To add insult to injury, they had been a part of the hiring committee to bring him on board, and they had been responsible for training him in the specific role.

    With a performance and salary review meeting coming up, they were considering raising this issue with their manager. However, they were wary about it and were looking for a second opinion on the matter.

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    I just discovered I'm making 20% less than a junior I hired and trained. How should I handle my upcoming salary review?

    The situation is just as the title says. My team was casually chatting about money and the cost of living, and although no one said any explicit numbers, a colleague of mine said something about his bonus and tax system that made it clear he's making at least 20% more than me.
    via horrors43redcaps
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    four people stand looking at three pieces of paper, with one woman talking about the contents of the paper
    via Vitaly Gariev

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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    The real kicker is that I was on his hiring committee and I personally spent the first few months teaching him everything from our software to how we work with clients. Now we're colleagues on the same team, doing the exact same job.
    via horrors43redcaps
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    I have a performance and salary review meeting with the department head in two weeks, and I'm really torn about whether I should bring up my colleague's higher salary or not. Is this a smart move, or will it backfire on me?
    via horrors43redcaps
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    four people gather around a computer screen as a woman points to something on it
    via Vitaly Gariev

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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    Commenters offered a mixture of advice.

    Think-Disaster5724 I would approach it from a different angle. I would look at the average salary for the job you do(compliments of ADP), explain how productive you are, and how long you have been working there, then ask for a raise. Bringing up another person's salary and saying, that's not fair, generally doesn't go well. You need to convince
    via Think-Disaster5724
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    them you aren't getting paid enough for the work you do, and that you deserve this raise. If you can show a link between how your work affects the companies bottom line, even better.
    via Think-Disaster5724
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    disclosingNina--1876 By finding a new job.
    via disclosingNina-1876
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    Expert_Bat4612 It seems generally you have to leave your job to get a raise.
    via Expert_Bat4612
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    NewspaperDramatic694 Be ready to leave. 50% chance company will say no. Then what? You leave.
    via NewspaperDramatic694
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    Silly-Product6304 Coming from a hiring manager, it's often cheaper to retain employees than hire new ones go for it bro. Just tread lightly
    via Silly-Product6304
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    JustMe39908 You can try the squeaky wheel approach. But oftentimes you end up getting stonewalled. Most often, the best approach is to look for another, higher paying position and leaving. They don't appreciate you.
    via JustMe39908
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    Roadglidegirl You could start the conversation by asking about the company's stance on pay equity. When your manager gives you the company line about how committed they are to a fair and equitable work place, then you can follow up with how happy you are to hear that. Use their own statements to build a case for your compensation being made more equitable. If they fail to adhere to their own tenets, then it will be time to move on.
    via Roadglidegirl
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    sistermarypolyesther I left a job I enjoyed when I learned that the people I supervised were paid more than me. They were all salaried, as was I. Changing careers was a struggle, and I didn't find a good fit immediately, but I do not regret the decision.
    via sistermarypolyesther
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    bikulakula Whenever I talk with coworkers I make sure to always exaggerate my pay just to fuck with them lol and because of this I put no weight into what they say about theirs. Nothing good comes from worrying about someone else's paycheque.
    via bikulakula
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    Old experienced guy "isn't worth a raise" and leaves. New guy comes in getting the same wage or higher and doesn't know shit. Or the new guy comes in with a diploma that puts him ahead of you yet he's years behind your direct experience / knowledge. It's the way she goes unfortunately.
    via bikulakula
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    Specific-Bread-1210 Well I'm not corporate..but..iata ...I would tell them straight up ..40% raise..you won't accept anything less..and start looking for another job ..if they ask why..I've told them ..you know why..and I won't work for a company that disrespects me...they are going to be stunned..
    via Specific-Bread-1210
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    Academic_Dare_5154 The market for new talent is insane. Take your experience and get a better job, or a similar job at a different place.
    via Academic_Dare_5154
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    SimilarComfortable69 I guess I would wonder whether they have qualifications you don't have and whether your company is thinking that they would be the next manager of your department.
    via SimilarComfortable69
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    spasticnapjerk I always thought that salary review meetings were the place to document why you were unhappy with your job, so that they'll already know why you're leaving for better pay.
    via spasticnapjerk
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    da8Bitkid You should get another job and leave. There is no way you get an adjustment to what you "should" be making. Also, sounds like they've treated you wrong if you're getting paid like or less than a jr
    via da8BitKid
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    Centerfire_Eng The way you bring it up is by saying, "I need realignment with something commensurate with my and title and will be competitive with others in my same job role." When they say no, you say yes to a new job and don't look back.
    via Centerfire_Eng

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