According to Salary.com’s 2008 Job Satisfaction Survey, 50% of employers believe that a salary increase of 8-15% is enough to lure an employee away from their current company. 13% believe a piddly 1-7% is enough, they must be companies with ridiculous benefits or looking for folks in soul-crushing positions because 1-7% is a pittance. 33% of employers believe 16-30% where only 4% believe 31% to “never.” So, if a company is offering you less than 8%, they’re in the small 13% minority that think it’ll work - don’t reinforce that idea!

If you want some more numbers, 38% of employees demand at least 16% to leave while 17% demand over 31% (6% will never leave!), so if you take less than 8% and are leaving for compensation reasons… you’re in the 7% foolish minority.

Lesson of the Day: 8-15% is the golden zone for employers, 16-30% is better. Don’t be a fool and leave for < 7%.