How to Ask for a Raise (and Actually Get It)

Most people who ask for a raise get at least part of what they ask for — but many never ask. A good request is less about courage and more about preparation: knowing your number, your evidence and your words.

Explain it like I’m 5

Imagine you’ve been helping at a lemonade stand. At first you just poured drinks. Now you also count the money, make the signs and teach new helpers. You’re doing a lot more than before, so it’s fair to ask for more pay.

But you don’t just say “I want more.” You say: “I’ve been doing these extra jobs, the stand sold more because of my signs, and other stands pay helpers like me a bit more. Could my pay go up to this amount?” That’s how you ask for a raise.

Know exactly what a raise is worth per paycheck — and after inflation — with the raise calculator.

Step 1: Pick the right moment

• Before budgets are set — often a couple of months before your company’s review cycle or fiscal year.
• After a win — a finished project, a happy client, a great result.
• When your job has grown — new responsibilities, a team to lead, skills you didn’t have before.
• Not during layoffs, a hiring freeze, or the day your manager has a crisis.

Step 2: Decide on your number

1. Research market pay for your role, experience and location. Many US states now require pay ranges in job postings — look at similar jobs.
2. Check inflation. If prices rose 3% and you get 2%, your real pay went down.
3. Pick a specific number at the higher end of what you can justify. Specific numbers ($68,500) sound researched; round ones sound like guesses.
4. Know your minimum — the number below which you’d start looking elsewhere — but don’t say it.

Use the raise calculator to turn your number into percent, monthly and per-paycheck terms.

Step 3: Build your case

Write down 3–5 points, with numbers where you can:

• Results: “Cut processing time by 30%,” “Brought in $200,000 of new business.”
• Responsibilities you’ve added since your last raise.
• Skills or certifications you’ve gained.
• Praise from customers, colleagues or leaders.
• Market data for your role.

Step 4: Ask — what to say

To set up the meeting:

“I’d like to schedule 30 minutes to talk about my role and compensation. Would next Tuesday work?”

In the meeting:

“Over the past year I’ve taken on [new responsibilities] and delivered [results]. I’ve also looked at market pay for similar roles, which is around [range]. Based on that, I’d like to ask for an increase to [specific number]. I’m really happy here and want to keep growing with the team. What do you think?”

Then stop talking and let them respond.

Step 5: Handle the answer

• Yes: thank them, and ask when it takes effect and for it in writing.
• “Let me think about it”: agree on when you’ll hear back.
• No, or not now: ask, “What would I need to achieve to earn this, and can we review it in [3–6] months?” Write down the answer and follow up.
• Lower offer: you can accept, or counter politely with your evidence. You can also ask for non-salary extras.

Common mistakes

• Making it about your personal expenses instead of your value.
• Giving a range — you’ll usually be offered the bottom of it.
• Threatening to quit unless you mean it.
• Asking by email or in passing — a scheduled conversation is taken more seriously.
• Waiting for your manager to notice. They’re busy; make it easy for them to say yes.