How to Ask for a Salary Increase (and Actually Get It)?

You deserve a better salary!

Asking for a salary raise can feel very intimidating. Even the idea about asking can give you anxiety. But with the correct strategy, you can achieve it.

This guide will tell you how to have that conversation with confidence and a good chance of success.

Know Your Capabilities (and Prove Them)

Before you even think about knocking on that door, you need to know why you deserve a raise. This isn’t about feeling like you’re awesome. It’s about “Can you prove that you are an important employee?”

Track your wins: Make a list of your accomplishments. Did you save a project from disaster? Boost sales by 20%? Write it. Numbers and specifics are very important.

Research the market: Check sites like Glassdoor, Payscale, or LinkedIn salary to see what others in your role, industry, and region are earning. If you’re underpaid, note it. If you achieve above average results at work, focus on how your performance justifies the salary increase even more.

Align with company goals: Show how your work helps the business. If your company’s all about happy customers, highlight that amazing client feedback you got.

Create a one-pager summarizing your achievements. Give this to your boss during the conversation so he can understand that you are important for the business.

Time It Right

Timing isn’t everything, but it’s close. Pick the wrong moment and your request might get denied just because.

Choose the momentum: Ask after a big win—like finishing a major project or getting praise from a client. If the business just had a great revenue result, even better.

Avoid chaos: Don’t ask during a crisis or when your boss is very busy.

Sync with review cycles: Many companies budget for raises during performance reviews. Get the conversation going before that.

If you’re unsure about timing, ask a trusted coworker or mentor about the company’s raise process. Knowledge is power.

Practice Your Pitch

This isn’t improv. You need a script—or at least a plan. Your pitch should be confident, concise, and focused on value.

Start with gratitude: Thank your boss for their support or the opportunities you’ve had. It sets a positive tone.

Talk about achievements: Talk about your achievements with confidence. For example: “I’ve build a project that got $50,000 in revenue.”

Make the ask: Be direct but not pushy. Try: “Based on my contributions and market research, I’d like to discuss a salary adjustment to $(the number you researched), which I believe reflects my importance in the business.”

Have a number: Suggest a specific figure, backed by your research. Choose a salary 20% more than you think that you can get. But be realistic also.

Rehearse the pitch with a friend or in front of a mirror. You want to sound natural, not like you’re reading a PowerPoint.

Prepare for the “No” or “Maybe”.

Your boss might say “no” or “maybe.” Be ready for all.

If they say no: Ask why, politely. Is it budget? Performance?

Then ask, “What can I do to make this possible soon?” This shows you’re serious and can listen to feedback.

If they say maybe: Suggest a timeline for revisiting the conversation, like: “Could we discuss this again soon?” Offer to take on specific goals to show your are serious about improvement.

Stay calm, even if they say “No”. A gracious response keeps the door open for another ask.

Follow Up

Whether you get the raise or not, don’t stop the conversation.

Send a thank-you email: Summarize what you discussed and express appreciation for the conversation. Example: “Thanks for discussing my role and contributions today. I’m excited to continue delivering value and will follow up on the goals we talked about.

Track your progress: If you were given action items, document your progress and check in periodically.

Stay proactive: Continue to do good work. A salary raise might not happen today, but consistent excellence makes it difficult to say no again.

If you get the raise, celebrate quietly—don’t brag to coworkers. You took a bold step, and that’s worth celebrating.

Think about Quitting

I know that this idea might sound crazy, but a lot of research shows that the best way to improve your salary is to switch employers. Businesses invest more into recruiting employees than to improve the salary of the employees that already work for them.

And if your research shows that you can get 20% or more increase by working for another employee, you should consider it.

You don’t have to quit now. Apply for few jobs. Go to few interviews. See what the employees are actually like.

But don ‘t stay working for an employer that doesn’t respect you or your work.

If you are going to remember anything from this article, let it be this: You are capable employee. You should have self-respect. And you should ask for what you think you deserve.