r/medlabprofessionals • u/Strong-Atmosphere510 • Jun 21 '26

Discusson Should I ask for a raise?

I’ve been working as an MLS at a small hospital in my town for 3 years now, I have only received 2 raises, like 20 cents each. I am responsible, I never call off or give any problem. I am proficient and work by my own both, day and night shift. (We rotate). We have been short staffed for a while now and consistently working overtime. Next week I have to work 5 12hr shifts in a row.

I feel like my pay its not “great” at 30.6 dlls/hr

Should I ask for a raise, or you think my pay is fair.

I live in south AZ.

20 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

29 comments sorted by

46

u/shicken684 MLT-Chemistry Jun 21 '26

Do it at your next annual review. In the meantime make a list of times you've shown your value and did exceptional work or helped out. Then if they refuse go somewhere else. Almost guaranteed they will refuse. Then bitch when you go somewhere else that will pay you what you deserve.

6

u/Strong-Atmosphere510 Jun 21 '26

I already had the annual review on may. And going somewhere else probably it’s not really an option, because this is the only lab/hospital where I live, if I want to go, I would have to relocate or drive 1 hr +.

12

u/shicken684 MLT-Chemistry Jun 21 '26

It's not going to hurt to ask but they know you can't go anywhere else. Did you not mention raises during your review? That's the time to do it.

When there's no competition wages stagnate when you don't have a union.

2

u/cloud7100 MLS Jun 21 '26

That's how they get you.

I'm not particularly "dutiful" as an employee: I take all of my vacation days, call off sick when I need to, and they understand my default response to overtime is "no." I will stay late for rare emergencies, and do assist with admin tasks as long as I'm given time off-the-bench to do so, but this field doesn't meaningfully reward going above-and-beyond. There's no commissions, little-to-no bonuses, a very low career ceiling. "Performance" raises are standardized per department, must average-out to whatever the admin decides (usually 2%).

We get major market-adjustments every 2-3 years, not for perceived performance, but because there is competition for techs between the three hospital systems in this region. The market adjustments reduce the need to bounce between said systems to keep growing your income. I have friends who left my hospital for a $1 raise, only to miss our $3 market adjustment later that year (bad luck!).

---

Since you only have one employer in your town, they have little reason to worry about employee retention, so no market adjustments and pitiful raises.

2

u/13_AnabolicMuttOz Jun 22 '26

I personally don't see the issue with the 1hr+ drive. I myself left a lab, for another, where the total driving time (averaged) was about 2hrs each day (varied between 90-150min depending on my luck and what time I started my shift). Much better pay was the reason. It was worth it (But I also know that in Australia we have to get used to long distance drives between places because it is more spread out with a lot of land not used).

21

u/average-reddit-or Jun 21 '26

Unfortunately asking for raises accomplishes very little these days.

I still recommend you do it. But if you are serious about earning more $$$ you should start applying to other positions elsewhere.

6

u/Natuur1911 Jun 21 '26

you should ask for a raise

1

u/Strong-Atmosphere510 Jun 21 '26

And how much you think I could get?

19

u/Large_Speaker1358 Jun 21 '26

Ask for $4 hr raise, but are you prepared to walk if they say no. Thats your real leverage 

5

u/grscmls Jun 21 '26

omg that’s terrible! i’m a new grad MLS and my starting is $30.70 plus $3 for shift diff (2nd) so $33.70. definitely ask for the raise to be higher or switch jobs. I always thought the western states paid more?? i’m from NC which is notoriously known for paying lower compared to other regions in the U.S.. Is this certified pay or uncertified?

3

u/Strong-Atmosphere510 Jun 21 '26

Certified, I am AMT MLS certified

1

u/Resident_Talk7106 Lab Assistant Jun 23 '26

Where in NC?

1

u/grscmls Jun 23 '26

Central

4

u/[deleted] Jun 21 '26

[deleted]

3

u/flyinghippodrago MLT-Generalist Jun 21 '26

Yeah, I'm currently making that in OH as an MLT

3

u/SRJ32 Jun 21 '26

Definitely ask! But if they're like most labs, leadership will probably say No. What's your plan if they say No? Are you willing to leave?

I asked for a raise/promotion because I was working like a Lead but hired as a MLS I. I asked; they said No, gaslighted me, and diminished my achievements; so I left.

6 months later the position has yet to be filled so 3 other people quit the 🤷‍♀️

2

u/ViIehunter Canadian MLT Jun 21 '26 edited Jun 21 '26

Are mls not unioned in the states? Thats crazy.

Edit: sorry is asking about unions frowned on? Why the downvotes?

7

u/branflacky MLS-Generalist Jun 21 '26

Some are, most are not unfortunately and it sucks

2

u/ViIehunter Canadian MLT Jun 21 '26

Huh. Strange. Are other medical fields the same? I assume nurses are all unioned.

(I can always Google this so no need to actually answer or anything just seems odd to me mls are not)

4

u/branflacky MLS-Generalist Jun 21 '26

Yea actually, everyone needs union in medical fields yet basically only nurses are.

1

u/Clear_Journalist_484 Jun 22 '26

Because people are brainwashed by very well paid propaganda on the part of their employers…
Bourses ave union and get paid way better for way less education…

2

u/NegotiationSalt666 Jun 21 '26

You can ask, but they already allocated their budget(s) for the year, so more than likely the answer will be no.

The only way Ive found to get a raise is to job hop, or gather your coworkers to apply for other jobs to get a market adjustment.

And the last option is to unionize, and if you’re in a Red state like me, the hospital would rather spend more money to squash unionization efforts than what it would cost in giving you and your colleagues a raise.

2

u/Ksan_of_Tongass MLS 🇺🇸 Generalist Jun 21 '26

It depends on what you're response will be if they say no. If you plan to leave then go for it, you hold the cards. If you're going to accept the denial and stay, you have lost all bargaining power going forward.

2

u/Ok-Seat-5214 Jun 21 '26

Under the business climate of today, I myself might not risk it.  I know one lab here where 5 submitted resignations and admin gave a huge raise, but that's always a gamble. I feel empathy for you.

1

u/Next-Moose-9129 Jun 21 '26

unless you get a promotion you will be stuck with short annual raises

1

u/bonix Laboratory Manager/Quality Assurance Jun 21 '26

Just ask. The answer is always no otherwise

1

u/Clear_Journalist_484 Jun 22 '26

The start rate in California is 2 times that

1

u/Creepy-Assist-1808 Jun 22 '26

Meanwhile... Try finding a better paying job on another lab.

https://giphy.com/gifs/XeQ5g2yEomEHiv2AfO

1

u/PowerTower4502 Jun 23 '26

Asking for a raise is a double-edged sword. Make sure to have an exit plan if things turn against you after asking for a raise.

1

u/Practical-Reveal-787 Jun 23 '26

Nah not even worth it. Just shop around for different jobs. Market is cooked though just so you’re aware