Employee finds out their company is hiring their exact position at $18k higher than their current salary: 'We can't adjust everyones salary every time we post a new position'

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JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Feb 8, 2026 10:00 AM EST

Sometimes you mess around and find out… and wish you hadn't. 

This can be true in relationships, and it can be true in jobs. Have you ever snooped around on your company's LinkedIn and found out something you kind of wish you hadn't? Maybe you find out that they're hiring for your job. This can either mean that they're about to let you go or that they're hiring someone else. Either way, you hope that you're still being valued. But what if you found out that they were hiring for your job, and it paid way more money than you currently do? Your feelings would probably be pretty hurt, and they would have some explaining to do. But what if the explanation wasn't good enough? 

Money is one of the key ways that you're acknowledged at work. It's kind of the reason you're there, unless you have an outstanding passion for the work you do. But likely, if the money wasn't on the table, you wouldn't be showing up. It's your direct value to the company. Sure, you're more than the salary you make, but it's a pretty easy way to see how much you mean to your company. If you don't feel like it's enough, then you should open up the dialogue to make sure it matches your needs and expectations. But not all business owners are always receptive to this conversation. Sometimes they don't have their priorities right, and would rather use external help than the help they already have. 

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  • A woman looks confused at some documents at her desk
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

  • It's always cheaper to keep an existing employee than hire someone else, but you should also compensate your current employees fairly. If you're hiring outside talent for a similar (or even the same) role, then you should be mindful of how it's coming across to your current employees. Shouldn't you be taking care of them first, instead of prioritizing a prospective hire that doesn't even exist yet? That's what happened in this situation, and the employee had a lot to say about it. They weren't sure what to do, since their employer already given them their answer. Read on to see exactly what happened here.

  • Found out my company is hiring for my exact position at $18k more than what I make.

    I've been working as a logistics coordinator for this mid sized distribution company in Ohio for almost 3 years now. Started at 42k, got bumped to 45k last year after basically begging for a raise. They told me budget was tight and that was the best they could do.
    via u/PositivelyIrrespons
  • Yesterday I was showing my friend some stuff on Indeed because shes job hunting and I decided to search my own company name just out of curiosity. And there it is, my exact same position, same responsibilities I do every single day, listed for 60k to 63k. I literally do the exact job they're advertising.
    via u/PositivelyIrrespons
  • I brought it up to my manager this morning trying to stay calm about it and he got all defensive saying "thats the market rate for new hires" and "we cant adjust everyones salary every time we post a new position." Like what?? So you're telling me someone walking in off the street with zero knowledge of our systems is worth 15k more than me who literally trained the last two people in this role?
    via u/PositivelyIrrespons
  • They've been saying for months theres no room in the budget for raises. I have money saved up in case something like this happened but I didnt think it would actually be this bad. I'm done. Already updated my resume and im applying to every competitor in the area. If they can pay someone else 63k to do my job they can figure it out when I leave.
    via u/PositivelyIrrespons
  • A young woman looks at something in her hand at her desk confused
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

  • Commenters came in with their thoughts and opinions.

    NODsBlackHand There is also a chance they are looking to hire someone for the same salary as you and are using bait and switch to lure people in.
    via u/NODsBlackHand
  • NoContribution9322 Quit and reapply for the position...
    via u/NoContribution9322
  • high_throughput "Hmm.. You're saying that this company punishes loyalty and rewards job hoppers?"
    via u/high_throughput
  • RJRoyalRules Similar thing happened at my job years ago, they told us for two years they couldn't afford any raises, then they hired a new guy to do the same job as the rest of us and we found out he was getting almost 20k more than everyone else. When we confronted them they hemmed and hawed but nothing happened until I quit and they suddenly had the cash to give me a big raise. Best thing to do is get out of there as soon as it's feasible.
    via u/RJRoyalRules
  • Haywoodjabalowme You did the right thing. Once they've given you the "market rate for new hires" excuse, the trust is basically gone. There's also a chance this is bait-and-switch, posting a high range to attract people and then negotiating down later. Applying to competitors makes sense, and your chances of getting a better offer sound solid. Some people also skip job boards and reach out directly, a developer shared how emailing recruiters led to multiple offers, and the same approach can work
    via u/Haywoodjabalowme
  • ConsultantForLife "There's no money in the budget for raises" actually means "We didn't put money in the budget for raises".
    via u/ConsultantForLife
  • Nemesis_Destiny It's just like when the phone or Internet company offers better rates to new subscribers. You want the best deal? Shop around.
    via u/Nemesis_Destiny
  • kyle1234513 the best power play you can do is "i quit effecitve immediately, you can now hire 2 new people at 60k, or you can hire me at 60k and 1 new person at 60k, your choice." but unfortunately its just bait to get applications in, where theyll lowball in the interview.
    via u/kyle1234513
  • FinLandser This behavior is wide spread. Companies will not reward loyal employees and will pay new ones more even if they need to be trained for half the year. There is probably research out there that shows they save money this way as people already working there for years have already accepted their low pay and on average will not leave.
    via u/FinLandser
  • Stolen Wishes To be paid what you're worth, job hopping is the best way - perhaps the only way.
    via u/StolenWishes

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salary boss antiwork toxic-workplace job work coworkers workplace money
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