How should I properly approach my boss if I'm feeling underpaid?

manpreet Best Answer 2 years ago

I started working at my current company as a Software Engineer about 2 years ago. When I received my offer, it was $5k less than what was agreed to during my interview and non-negotiable. However I was desperate to get out from my previous job and accepted it. My base salary was 50k when I started and I had about 3 years of prior experience. Meanwhile, a friend who left the company had no experience whatsoever when he started and they started him at 55k. PayScale.com says that I am in the bottom 6% percentile where the average salary for someone in my position, location, and with 5 years experience is about $76k. Salary.com stated just about the same thing.

Each year since my hiring I have received a 10% raise, since I do a lot and handle my job well. There have also been 5 people that left my project and the company since I started the job and I inherited some of their work/responsibilities in each case.

Based on what I do and the work I've inherited (which entails software, systems, & network engineering, along with some management tasks currently) I feel that I am still underpaid.
I've been thinking of asking for a mid-year raise either now or when I obtain my CCNA as I intend to do in a few months.

Is my plan of action advisable?
How should I properly approach this subject with my boss?