How to ask for a raise
Build a written case of your results and market rate, time the ask around a review cycle or a recent win, request a dedicated meeting, and ask for a specific number. If the answer is "no budget," get concrete criteria and a timeline in writing.
A raise is rarely volunteered — it’s requested. The people who get them tend to ask deliberately, with evidence, at the right moment.
The strongest case isn’t "I need more"; it’s "here’s the value I’ve added, and here’s what the market pays for it."
Anchor to results and market rate — not personal need
Managers can act on value and market data; they can’t do much with "my rent went up." Lead with what you’ve delivered and what comparable roles pay.
Step by step
Build the case
List your accomplishments from the last year, quantified where you can (revenue, savings, scope, outcomes), plus market-rate data for your role.
Time it well
Aim for a review cycle, right after a clear win, or before budgets are set — not in the middle of a bad quarter.
Request a dedicated meeting
Don’t spring it in passing. Ask your manager for a short meeting to "talk about my role and compensation."
Make the ask with a specific number
State the number you want and tie it to your results and the market — not to personal expenses.
Handle "no" or "not now"
If it’s a no, ask exactly what you’d need to demonstrate, and by when, to get to that number — and get that path in writing.
Follow up in writing
Summarize what was agreed (or the path forward) in a short, friendly email so there’s a record.
“Over the past year I [accomplishment, ideally with a number]. Based on that and the market for this role, I’d like to discuss moving my salary to $X.”
“If that’s not possible right now, what would I need to demonstrate, and by when, to get there?”
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FAQ
How much of a raise should I ask for?
Anchor to the market rate for your role and your results. Asking for a specific, justified number lands better than a vague request or a percentage pulled from the air.
What if they say there’s no budget?
Get specifics: what you’d need to show and a timeline to revisit. A documented path with a date is a real outcome — and leverage later.
Should I mention another job offer?
Only if it’s real and you’d actually take it. A genuine competing offer is strong leverage; a bluff can backfire badly if called.
- Pew Research — Most US workers don’t ask for higher pay when hired
- Marks & Harold (2011), Journal of Organizational Behavior — negotiating raised starting pay ~$5,000 on average
This guide is general information and a starting point, not legal advice.