Are you an Associate chiropractor looking for a better salary? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Negotiating a higher salary can be a win-win for you and the practice owner. You’ll have more income, and the practice owner will have comfort knowing they have a satisfied Associate who is not a flight risk.
Knowing which types of negotiations will be advantageous in your unique workplace can help ensure that when you switch jobs or advocate for yourself within your current office, you stay firmly situated above water—and even land a raise.
This guide will discuss who should negotiate a higher salary, best practices around negotiation conversation points, and how to ensure successful outcomes. Read on if becoming an informed negotiator sounds like something worth exploring!
Know your worth – research the industry standards for salary expectations when taking a new job
Don’t be afraid to negotiate the salary package when offered that new job; you should know your worth before starting negotiations. Research industry standards and ensure you get what you deserve – no doctor has to take a lower salary than their worth. Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to succeed, and have confidence in your professional qualifications and work experience when asking for a higher salary.
Knowing your worth ahead of time gives you better leverage for successful negotiations. The average starting salary for an Associate is currently $90,000+! Currently, there are five available Associate positions for each available Associate, so you don’t need to settle for antiquated contracts.
Make sure you understand the practice and the job role before negotiations
Whenever you find yourself in the market for a new job, it’s crucial to thoroughly research the practice that offers the position and understand exactly what your job role entails. Doing so ensures that you can confidently enter negotiations with your gathered knowledge. Having an understanding of the entirety of what will be expected from you is incredibly important when determining an appropriate salary.
Before you begin to negotiate a higher salary, ensure you understand the ins and outs of the role. Knowing this information demonstrates insight into their current needs and goals. It shows your future employers that you will be dedicated to them and puts you in a great position during negotiations! For example, are they looking for a Care Giver focused on patient care or a Business Build focused on new patient marketing and acquisition?
Understanding the role will help you better negotiate a fair contract and comp plan.
Highlight your successes – highlight specific accomplishments and skills to demonstrate your value to the practice.
If you’re looking for a bump in your salary when negotiating with a potential employer, emphasize the successes you have achieved and the skills you bring to the table. Having tangible examples of results-oriented work will help show — not tell — how your experience has directly impacted those around you. Don’t forget to discuss intangible qualities representing your strengths, such as leadership, critical thinking, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and more. Remember, people hire for skills and fire for behavior. Ideally, your interview process should highlight how you fit into their practice culture.
A great culture fit will always command a higher salary than someone with skills who doesn’t fit the practice culture. Highlighting these pieces will give employers an in-depth understanding of how and why your value matters in their organization.
Don’t just focus on salary; ask about benefits.
Now more than ever, owners need to offer competitive benefits to attract top talent. Your compensation is not limited only to your salary but should be considered a combination of your contract and comp plan.
Taking on a new job can be intimidating, but with the proper research and preparation, you can negotiate the best compensation plan. Don’t make the mistake of forgetting to ask about additional benefits. On top of your salary amount, consider considering vacation time, health insurance, and other active benefits. Nearly every employer has different policies related to these offerings, so don’t forget to factor those into your decision-making process.
Negotiate from a position of strength – keep an open line of communication that is respectful but also confident in what you are asking for
Negotiation is often seen as daunting, but it doesn’t need to be stressful. Ultimately, you are working towards a situation where you and the practice owner are happy and motivated. An open, respectful, and confident communication line can be the key to a successful salary negotiation.
A helpful guide for doctors in these situations could provide specific advice on how best to communicate with prospective employers, outlining strong and persuasive speaking points to ensure your voice will be heard above the rest. This kind of guidance could also be an invaluable aid in preparing for any encounters or negotiations regarding salary – equipping doctors with the tools they need to enter into the conversation from a position of strength. It’s important to be prepared- knowing the number is critical.
Hiring an Associate DC is one of the most important investments an owner will make in their practice. Have you done enough diligence to understand how they will have a positive ROI by hiring you?
Practice makes perfect – practice negotiating scenarios with someone with relevant experience beforehand so you can feel more comfortable during the negotiation process.
Practicing negotiating beforehand can be incredibly beneficial when getting the best deal possible. It not only helps you become comfortable with various scenarios and situations but will also enable you to use persuasive language and tactics better during the negotiation. They can advise you on key points to successfully negotiate a higher salary. Ultimately, by practicing negotiating before entering the room, you can ensure you walk out with an offer that meets (and maybe exceeds) your expectations.
Negotiating a higher salary can be intimidating and stressful, especially when starting as a new Chiropractor. But by following the steps outlined in this workflow, such as knowing your worth, understanding the role and organization, highlighting your accomplishments and successes, and negotiating from a position of strength, you can put yourself in a better position to get the salary you deserve. Don’t forget to factor in the benefits too! Finally, practice makes perfect — Negotiating is a skill like any other — so practice and become comfortable with it before you start negotiating for your dream job! Now that you have all the tools needed for successful negotiation, why not take charge of your career aspirations?
Connect with us today- we have over 100 positions available now with starting salaries over $85K! Are you ready for the next step in your Chiropractic career?
Chiro Match Makers has the process of hiring DC’s and CA’s down to a science. Here are 4 ways we can help you today!
1. Download our coveted DC Interview Guide before your next interview
This is the most critical hire you will ever make in your practice. Most of us have only learned how to interview from our own past experiences and our gut. Our template provides you with unique questions and a systematic way to help ensure you find the right person for the job you have available. Download a copy here.
2. Download CA Hiring Success Roadmap
Building your A+ team is the difference between having the ability to scale or not. If done right, it can be a path to freedom and increased profit. If done wrong, it can be one of the most-costly mistakes you ever make. Go here to get your copy of the CA Hiring Success Roadmap.
3. Explore the best way to leverage a Locum in your practice.
Grab a copy of our Benefits to Hiring a Locum Guide that will be the best time you’ve spent in buying back your time freedom.
4. Connect with us!
If you’d like to connect with us for a brainstorming session just click here to access our schedule link and find a time that’s best for you. We’d love to learn more about your practice and help you reach your goals!
