Question: I am an entry level web developer for a small company in the US. I do full stack web development and lead my own medium sized projects. I have moved from intern to contractor and now recently to full time employee status. 

I was very eager to accept the full time salaried offer of roughly ~45k(healthcare stipend included). Before I became salaried I was making 20$ hourly. I do not get any 401k or other benefits aside from vacation. Reflecting on this past year as I start to gather all of my tax info, I feel like I am actually making less money for more work, which is much more involved. 

I get along great with my coworkers and feel like I am a key part of the team and also think I have surprised everyone with my work thus far. I was told I would get my salary adjusted in 6 months after my start date, but I almost feel like I am being taken advantage of as a junior/entry level developer. I am making fast progress and want to be compensated for my hard work. 

How do I go about renegotiating? Should I wait until the 6months is up and try to negotiate then? Would going back to hourly be worth it? I do not have any other offers at this moment. From some research it seems the US entry level salary is around 65-70k for similar positions.

Location: North Central, KY

Answer: 
Face the facts, you accepted the offer. Now would not be the time for you to renegotiate an accepted offer, a 6 month review might be a little early, but it is certainly a time to do so if you believe you have made considerable work, a 1 year might be better given the circumstances.

On that note, comparing salary levels nationally to KY would not be reasonable given the state's lower cost of living. Look for local positions that are hiring in your field and experience for a better gauge of market wages.

In the meantime, the best ROI would be for you to ask if you can have your company pay for certifications and/or training to increase your knowledge and value.
It is a bit early to renegotiate after 6 months - but you can still do something.

After your trial period is over (if there is one) you should make a 1-1 appointment with your manager where you ask about a fair appraisal of your performance. Now, grouping the responses to this into 3

*1. Your performance is appraised as worse than you expected.* - Ask for direct deliverables and or measurables and get to work improving. The earlier after this meeting you can check off any of the performance targets you should. Then repeat and goto 2.

*2. Your performance has - in your words "surprised them"* - Yea, you have a good chance of getting a raise as long as you remain cool and collected about trying to have a salary that is on par with the performance. Be prepared - know what salary range you want, and name a *range* not a fixed price. (so as you can repeat this process in the future easier) I'd probably say something to the tune of *"I have been working real hard to prove that I am worth more than the junior/entry level salary"* - maybe you also can find something you can improve either with yourself or the work situation or environment and volunteer it as a measurable you can leverage your salary bid with. It can even be ridiculous stuff, I have a colleague who got a raise (partly) because he volunteered to do all the organizing for this years christmas party - because he knew the manager hated to have anything to do with it. Be on the offensive, but don't be - you know - *offensive* or aggressive.

\*3. *If your performance is even better than you expected* - they should volunteer to bump the pay grade themselves, if this does not happen, it is a red flag for how performance is being valued with salary in the company - and I would not put staying at the company in my 3 year plan if I were you... Otherwise, do as pt 2.