I wish I had the problem of deciding to skip a year on a raise.
Their current salary, as compared to mine (based on the most recent job posting of $5380-$6641 per month, using the lowest salary in the range, and yes, it's the same job that I do) :
You are currently earning $64,560 in Vancouver, Washington as a Paramedic.
You need to earn $92,856 to maintain the same standard of living in Washington, District of Columbia.
My current salary in the DC metro area:
$36,750...
The highest starting paramedic salary in the area:
$52,338
The IAFF has always been it's own worst enemy. Always taking concessions because they "love the job". Baltimore City FD is a disgrace - their safety equipment doesn't work, their fire stations are (literally) falling apart, the equipment doesn't work (as in the fire engine doesn't pump water to the fire), and they're talking about agreeing to let the city shut down more stations, even at a time they're below national standards for response times, etc. Why? Because they "love the job" and don't stand up for themselves. They think it's a gift to be able to do the work they do. There's a reason we're called "Dumb old firemen"
Sorry, I'm pretty mad today... I got patient gunk on my uniform, and made the mistake of washing it at the same time as a wool blanket that I also used on the patient... now there's wool blanket crud all over my clothes...