MW I'm a CPA. I found out that an executive assistant makes $10K more than me. Can I use this to get a raise?
By Aditi Shrikant
'She makes $140,000, while I make $130,000'
"If I didn't love working here, I'd honestly start interviewing, because this is so frustrating."
Dear Dollar Signs,
We have compensation discussions coming up at work, and today I found out that one of the new executive assistants, who is 28 years old and started this week, makes more money than I do.
She makes $140,000, while I make $130,000. My bonus is $50,000, but I'm not sure what hers is. I know her salary because I saw the recruiter invoice come through, and they charge 25% of a hire's first-year base salary. The bill for her was $35,000.
Her role does not require any educational background. I'm 33, and my position required both a master's degree and a CPA license. She started on Monday, and I've been here just over two years.
At the baseline, I just don't understand how a role that doesn't require critical-thinking skills or education can pay more than a position that involves tracking hundreds of investments, managing eight different teams' budgets, overseeing philanthropic dollars (we send thousands of grants each year), handling taxes and myriad other responsibilities.
If I didn't love working here, I'd honestly start interviewing, because this is so frustrating.
How can I leverage this information during my compensation discussion?
Frustrated CPA
If you're just starting out on your money or career journey and have questions about how to navigate your finances, we want to hear from you. Write to Dollar Signs, MarketWatch's new advice column, at dollarsigns@marketwatch.com.
Dear Frustrated,
Your frustration is warranted. Now, let's be sure it's channeled into a productive discussion as you should absolutely ask for more money.
Even though discovering this information probably stung, knowing your company has the bandwidth to offer higher salaries is a helpful and positive data point.
It might not be wise to cite the executive assistant's pay during your discussion - especially because the way you found out how much she was earning was a bit sketchy, says Attia Qureshi, a lecturer in negotiations at the University of Michigan and co-author of the upcoming book "Never Settle: Persuasion and Negotiation Skills to Get What You Want."
Plus, you managers might not share your opinion of executive assistants. Although the education requirement to be hired as an EA at most companies is a high-school diploma, these roles are often regarded as the backbone of an organization. They draft internal communications, anticipate employees' needs, and are generally responsible for ensuring operations run smoothly.
"If you do mention a co-worker's salary, employers tend to get defensive," Qureshi says. "No one wants to get called out for pay inequity."
You want to present an "objective data point," she says, which means a piece of information that both parties agree is valid but doesn't feel like an attack. Instead of mentioning the executive assistant's pay, do some market research and see what others in your industry with your job title are earning and present this to your manager. This will feel less accusatory, she says, and you might be able to find an even higher number than that of your colleague.
Another option would be to get a competing offer and present it to your manager, Qureshi says. This is more laborious, of course, but also more likely to fetch you that bigger paycheck. "That will always get you the highest salary," she says, as then they'll feel pressured to match it.
Job switchers don't always see financial benefits, especially in a labor market that is showing signs of slowing job growth. Last month, wage growth for "job stayers" was 0.5% less than those of "job switchers," according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. However, earlier in 2025, job stayers actually saw more wage growth than job hoppers.
Present more than just a number
Familiarizing yourself with what others in your position are earning is important, but simply saying that you deserve more money because someone with your job title makes that salary elsewhere isn't enough. You need to present a narrative of your professional experience that validates your request.
If you haven't already, write down every accomplishment or "win" you've had during the past couple of years. Present ways you've increased productivity and shaped the company culture (just in this letter you mention a cornucopia of impressive responsibilities). Be specific in your examples.
Most importantly, don't let your anger show. It's totally reasonable that you were upset to learn about the executive assistant's salary. During your talk, though, you want to seem positive and eager to invest more energy in the company. Hopefully, this will make managers excited to invest in you.
Watch out for gaslighting
I was once in a similar situation, in a previous job, where I found out a teammate with an identical title was earning more than me and I asked my editor, without mentioning my colleague, for a raise. She lied and said that none of my co-workers earned that amount. Stunned by her blatant fibbing, I backed off. But I started looking for new jobs and after a about three months, I left.
If you ask for a $10,000 raise and they respond that this isn't a salary they offer, it will be tempting to bring up the executive assistant's salary. Don't do it.
"If they are going to the point they are lying about [what people earn] and you know the truth, do you think their response is going to be any different if you bring up anyone else's salary?" Qureshi says.
Instead, you might want to start reaching out to potential employers.
You said you love working there, so I hope it doesn't come to this. But if they are willing to gaslight you about pay, exploring other options might be smart.
Write to Dollar Signs at dollarsigns@marketwatch.com.
-Aditi Shrikant
This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 21, 2026 10:50 ET (15:50 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Comments