a community of practitioners

Raises

I am a new LMP and have only been working as a massage therapist in the chiro clinic I work at for 3 months. My boss (DC) told me that he would start me out at $20 an hour because I am a new therapist and then in 3 months give me a review and a raise. I now in most jobs raises can look like anything from 15 cents to a dollar or two, but it seems LMP wages tend to be in like $5 increments? Atleast that's what I've observed. We are a very small practice and kind of like family so he is open to my input so I'm thinking $25 an hour- $5 raise sounds fair. Any thoughts??? Obviously I want to be respectful and see how the review goes but I just want to atleast have in my mind what I believe is fair.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Serenity Achieved! on August 17, 2011 at 4:44pm

I've worked for 2 different chiropractors over the last 12 years. From the one I have been with the longest (since 1999), she pays me bi-monthly whether she gets paid or not and provides my supplies; I generally get a $2.50 raise when I get a raise. Since she pays part of my health insurance, I've opted for her to pay the increase in premiums rather than take a pay raise in recent years.

The other chiro I worked with had a different system, his clients paid me directly and I provided everything for the session table, lotion, sheets, etc; so when I got a raise it was a $5 increase.

Permalink Reply by Trina Throckmorton on August 17, 2011 at 5:16pm

Thanks for the reply! Ok, so that makes sense. My situation is more like the second scenario...I provide lotions and some of the sheets. He has provided the table, some of the sheets, but I do all the laundry. I am paid by the Chiropractor though not directly by the patients. I don't get any health insurance either. So what do you think would be a fair raise? Obviously I think it should be based partly on how I am doing. I have already asked him and haven't really gotten any negative feedback so I know he's happy with how I'm doing.

Permalink Reply by Jeff Sims on August 17, 2011 at 6:24pm

At least $5.00.

Permalink Reply by Trina Throckmorton on August 17, 2011 at 6:27pm

I like that response. lol. Thanks Jeff :)

Permalink Reply by Jimswife on January 29, 2012 at 1:38pm

I know this is an older post. Just curious to how this worked out for you Trina. I am a new LMT working in a chiropractor's office. Have been for approx. 4 months now. Not sure what the "going rate" is.

Permalink Reply by Trina Throckmorton on January 30, 2012 at 2:42pm

I actually ended up quitting that Chiro office because of other issues, but the DC did tell me before I left that he was planning on giving me a $5 raise. So from what I've heard the going rate can vary from city to city, but usually a raise is like a few dollars to five dollars? The next Chiro place I worked at gave me $5 more dollars to the hour. My biggest piece of advice is to know your value and to not be afraid to ask for what you think you're worth. What's the worst that could happen? They say no or give you a little less than what your high aim was...which would probably still be more than if you shot low.