Negotiating salaries has long been a key topic in the business world across all industries; however, by the time inflation is calculated based on the average 3% annual raise, the actual bump in pay is closer to 1%. Over the past decade, fears of a recessionary economy have steered companies towards these minimal raises that have now become the norm. Add this up and after staying with a company for 2 years, over an assumed 10 year career, you could earn 50% less - and that's conservatively! Interestingly, by onboarding with a new employer, salaries can increase anywhere from 10-20%. This logic comes from the fact that raises are usually pulled from a base salary; if starting fresh, you are no longer bound to this lower wage. Yet, there are, of course, potential downfalls to continually leaping from one company to another as well. Overall, you must weigh the pros and cons of choosing whether to stay with your current employer or actively seek new opportunities. Most importantly, "as an individual, you’re a CEO of one, and you have a duty to maximize your profits."