How to ask for a salary increase in 5 steps

If you feel you deserve more remuneration, you need to own the conversation and advocate for yourself. Here are some talking points to consider so that you can confidently ask for a salary increase.

1. Know your worth and be realistic

Look around to see whether you are being paid market value for the job you have. Visit job websites to see the salary ranges for your position and speak to others in the industry about what is fair to get an indication of what you could or should be asking for.

Tip: Ask people with the same and more experience than you so you know what range you could ask for.

2. Prepare a summary of your achievements

It’s possible your managers aren’t entirely aware of how much you do and how you contribute. Draw up a list of strong points and achievements so that you have evidence to motivate your cause. Listing your accomplishments and being as specific as possible will help you show how you’ve gone above and beyond and give you bargaining power.

Tip: Send this list to them afterwards to remind them and reinforce your argument.

3. Schedule a time to discuss it

Timing is everything. Don’t just spring it on your manager or mention it in a casual chat. Schedule a time and make it clear what you’d like to discuss. It’s something that requires discussion and consideration, and by informing them of your intentions, they’ll also be able to prepare and perhaps be more open to your request.

Tip: Choose a time when things aren’t crazy in the office. You don’t want to rush through it; you want your manager to give it the consideration it deserves.

4. Everything is negotiable

Go in with a number that you’d like and use that as a starting point. Remember, they probably don’t really want to pay you more (otherwise they already would’ve), so let them come back to you with an answer as it might be more than you expected. If it isn’t satisfying, don’t just take it as it comes: follow up with what you think would be an acceptable number. You’ll likely find you’ll settle somewhere in the middle.

Tip: If they can’t offer you more money, consider accepting more perks: perhaps more leave, flexible hours or training and education.

5. Be prepared to hear no

However good your case, the answer could still be no. Prepare yourself emotionally for this outcome and how you’ll respond. Also, determine whether it’s a ‘hard no’ or a ‘not right now’ and decide what you’re willing to live with. Perhaps they need more time, and the topic can be revisited in the next 3‒6 months, or they could give you guidance on how you can improve.

Tip: Decide what is an acceptable response before you have the conversation and what you’ll say if it doesn’t suit you. Be prepared with how you will proceed.

Final takeaway

Give it a try. Go in with a positive attitude and the facts to back you up and be prepared for different outcomes. Pay negotiations are a crucial part of managing people, and your manager understands the impact of accurate remuneration on job performance, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to them when you ask for a salary increase.