I Made $15 an Hour at My First Job — Here’s How I Negotiated My First Raise
Written by
Jennifer Taylor
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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First job salaries aren’t generally known for their size. It can be frustrating to feel like you’re working hard for little money, but everyone has to start earning money somewhere.
You may start at the bottom, but the good news is, you don’t have to stay there. Get inspired by finding out how one successful entrepreneur, who started his career earning $15 per hour, negotiated his first pay raise.
Working Hard Paid Off
“Back in college, one of my first jobs was working in a Play-Doh factory out in Colorado, where I was on the line with three other guys from 4 a.m. to noon,” said Peter Murphy Lewis, founder and CEO at Strategic Pete. “This place was known for having the original patent on scented Play-Doh — the same scent you probably remember from childhood, but 10 times more intense when you’re surrounded by it all day.”
This — and other factors — made the job a challenge.
“It was tough, repetitive work, and the smell alone would make you queasy after a few hours,” he said. “I started at $15 an hour, which felt decent at first.”
However, this sentiment didn’t last long.
Earning a Raise
“After weeks of showing up before the sun and handling every tough task they threw at me, I felt like I deserved a bump,” he said. “I knew I needed to make my case, so I started by proving my value — taking on extra shifts, showing up early and even helping the team tweak our process to reduce downtime and keep things moving smoothly.”
After putting in the work, he was ready to state his case.
“Finally, I sat down with my supervisor and laid it out — I had put in the time, added value to the team and was ready for more responsibility,” he said. “I walked away with a raise, which felt like a win for both my wallet and my confidence.”
It also proved to be a great learning experience.
“That experience taught me that even at entry-level, if you step up and show how you’re an asset, you can move forward,” he said. “Even when the job or the economy is challenging.”
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