11 things to do immediately if you think you're underpaid

Joshua Rothhaas/flickrAre all the signs there?

If you suspect you're paid less than you should be, and the signs are all there, don't sit back and let it happen. Take action … immediately.

"Assuming you're feeling dissatisfied in your job due to the sense you're being underpaid, inaction can make things worse," says Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job." "The best thing you can do is become proactive and feel that you're not trapped - which you must remember, you never are."

Conduct your due diligence, she suggests. "If you find your concerns are unfounded, you'll be relieved. If your concerns are indeed validated, you can weigh your options, such as preparing your case for a raise, conducting a job search, or both.

Of course, not everyone measures their happiness or success by their income. Some people are willing to tolerate being underpaid because of other job virtues, such as the type of work they do, a boss who is an inspiring mentor, great coworkers, fantastic perks, or potential growth opportunity.

But, in most cases, being underpaid will lead to you feeling undervalued - which can have a negative impact on your productivity and your attitude.

Here's what to do when you think you're paid less than you're worth: