request a raise letter

Subject line: Tim Felton Salary Increase Request Dear Ms. Hutchins, I am writing to formally request an increase in my current salary. I have loved working as a Digital Marketing Manager at XYZ Corp. for the past four years, but my role has evolved during that time. I believe that I have met and responded to new challenges well and continue to add more value to the company. In light of my recent accomplishments, I believe a raise of at least 10% is justified. For example, over the past year, I have: Integrated our social media pages across platforms, increasing our website traffic by 23% Developed our product campaign in the Midwest, opening up a new market and increasing XYZ Corp.’s growth potential Streamlined internal processes to allow our team greater swiftness and efficiency in responding to the ever-adapting nature of digital marketing Successfully gathered and managed a remote team of employees from across the country, who have high regard for my management style (as per my stellar managerial review) Besides demonstrating excellent communication and leadership skills, I have also developed HTML and Python skills that allow me to work more closely with our web developers, simplifying our process for product development. After completing salary research, I found my current annual salary of $58,000 is well below the median pay for digital marketing managers in our region, $65,000. Therefore, I am requesting a 10% salary raise, which would bring my annual salary in line with the market rate. Thank you for taking the time to consider adjusting my salary. I am open to having a discussion about reaching a mutually beneficial salary agreement. Please let me know when would be a good time to find a salary solution that works for everyone. Sincerely, Tim Felton

Subject line: [Your Name] Salary Increase Request Dear [Managers Name], I am writing to formally request an increase in my current salary. I have loved working as a [job title] at [company name] for the past [years worked], but my role has evolved during that time. I believe that I have met and responded to new challenges well and continue to add more value to the company. In light of my recent accomplishments, I believe a raise of at least [salary increase percent] is justified. For example, over the past year, I have: [accomplishment one] [accomplishment two] [accomplishment three] [accomplishment four] Besides demonstrating excellent [skill type], I have also developed [skill type] that allow me to work more closely with our [other coworkers/departments], simplifying our process for product development. After completing salary research, I found my current annual salary of [current salary] is well below the median pay for [job title] in our region, [salary average]. Therefore, I am requesting a [salary percent increase] salary raise, which would bring my annual salary in line with the market rate. Thank you for taking the time to consider adjusting my salary. I am open to having a discussion about reaching a mutually beneficial salary agreement. Please let me know when would be a good time to find a salary solution that works for everyone. Sincerely, [Your Name]

You’ve written out your salary increase letter and included everything we suggested above. Great! Now you may be thinking of adding a few other finishing touches. Hold on; make sure that you’re not including any of the following elements in your salary increase letter:

Complaints. Look, nobody likes a whiny tone. If your letter sounds like it was written by a pouty child expressing little other than “it’s not fair, I want more,” then it’ll hurt your chances of getting a raise.

Coworker’s salary information. This is a letter about you, your performance, and your pay – don’t drag other people into it. It’s viewed as highly unprofessional and even downright rude to bring up someone else’s financial situation.

Your personal financial situation. We get that you might be going through some personal trouble with your finances, but that’s not a good reason to get a pay raise.

Company’s financial situation. We mentioned that it’s good to ask for a raise when your company is doing well, but that doesn’t mean you should include that fact in your salary increase letter.

How do I write a good salary increase letter?

You write a good salary increase letter by clearly stating the letter’s purpose, your reasons and justifications for your request, and what salary you’re asking for. Try to keep it concise, but including these details will help you make a stronger case.

What not to say when asking for a raise?

Don’t complain, mention your coworkers’ salaries, or talk about your personal financial needs when asking for a raise. You also shouldn’t mention the company’s financial position — it’s tacky to say, “I know you’re making plenty of money, so can I have some?”

Can I get fired for asking for a raise?

Yes, you can technically get fired for asking for a raise. There isn’t usually a law preventing employers from firing you for this reason. However, it’s very rare for companies to do this, as it’s not a good business practice.

What is a fair raise to ask for?

It’s fair to ask for a 10-20% raise. Make sure you can back up your request with plenty of reasons why you’re worth this money to the company, and be willing to negotiate.

Lesa Edwards CEO, Exclusive Career Coaching

It is so important to do your homework–this letter MUST be about your contributions, achievements, and how your salary compares to the local market. You don’t want to talk about your personal situation (e.g. your financial obligations or the fact that your spouse is out of work); while important to you, these facts are irrelevant.

Julie Sliga Owner, Career Counselor at Panoramic PDX

Companies tediously research salaries and create pay structures that are competitive within the market range. They are not often transparent about that range.

Your company has done its research, now you have to do yours. You don’t want to overshoot, but you don’t want to sell yourself short, either.

I advise my clients to check several reliable sources that publish salary data and reflect honestly on their qualifications and experience to assess where they fall within that range.

Salaries in certain industries can vary widely depending on the individual’s local labor market–make sure you look at both local and national data.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – May 2021 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating / 5. Vote count:

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Matthew Zane is the lead editor of Zippia's How To Get A Job Guides. He is a teacher, writer, and world-traveler that wants to help people at every stage of the career life cycle. He completed his masters in American Literature from Trinity College Dublin and BA in English from the University of Connecticut.

Recent Job Searches

Average Annual Raises: What’s Standard And Tips For Beating It

How Bonuses Work: What They Are And Examples

What Is A Merit Pay Increase? (And Why It Matters)

All The Different Types Of Compensation

Topics: Get A Raise , Get Paid

Get 1-on-1 Help

Fearless Salary Negotiation Book

Get instant access to the Fearless Salary Negotiation book

You’ve been offered your dream job in software engineering, now let’s make sure you get paid exactly what you deserve

A step-by-step process to build your case and ask for the raise you deserve

Negotiating a raise

How to write a salary increase letter to ask your boss for a raise

Schedule a meeting, ask for a raise, and follow up with these salary increase

by Josh Doody

You’re pretty sure you’re underpaid. You’ve been doing great work, but no one seems to notice and it’s been a long time since you got a salary increase.

It’s time to do something about it, but you’re not sure how to get a raise. You’re not even sure where to start .

The process starts and ends with email, so we’ll do a deep dive into how to ask for a raise with a salary increase letter to your manager. You’ll also get word-for-word examples of what to say when asking for a raise in person because the one non-email part of the process is when you actually make the request.

Looking for a specific email template?

...or get the salary increase letter template sent directly to your inbox right away!

Finally get the raise you deserve with this proven strategy

A former hiring manager tells you exactly what you need to know to ask for the raise you want.

And much, much more.

How to ask for a salary increase with a letter or email

Asking for a raise is a lot easier when you have the tools to ask for the right thing in the right way. So let’s walk through the exact process and words you can use to schedule a meeting, ask for a raise at work, and follow up after you ask for a raise.

Ask for a time to discuss your salary increase

Salary negotiation—when you’re changing jobs or working to increase your salary at your current job—is a collaboration. You’re not so much asking your manager to give you a raise as you are asking your manager to work with you to adjust your compensation to reflect the value you add in your role.

Sometimes your manager has full discretion over their compensation budget. And sometimes your manager doesn’t even have a budget for raises, and will submit a request for salary increment to HR, who will take it from there.

The first step to collaborating with your manager to ask for a raise is to schedule a time to talk about it. This can be awkward, but it doesn’t have to be.

Here are a two ways to initiate a conversation to ask for a salary increase.

If you have a regular 1-on-1 with your manager

If you have a regular 1-on-1 with your manager, even as infrequently as once a month, that’s the perfect time to discuss a salary increase. All you need to do is give your manager a heads-up so they have time to prepare for the discussion and maybe even do some research to see what might be possible.

You could reach out with a short email or even just send a quick instant message that you would like to talk about your compensation in your next 1-on-1.

Here’s an email template you can use to give your manager a heads-up that you would like to talk about a salary increase in your next 1-on-1 meeting:

To: [Your manager] Subject: A topic for our next 1-on-1

Hi [Manager name]

Do you mind if we use a few minutes of our next 1-on-1 to talk about my compensation? It won't take long, and I just wanted to see if we can set aside a few minutes for that topic.

Talk to you soon!

[Your name]

If you do NOT have a regular 1-on-1 with your manager

This situation is similar, but you’ll also need to schedule a meeting since you don’t have a regular meeting on the books.

In this case, it’s best to send a short email saying that you would like to schedule a meeting to talk about your compensation because you’ll also need to schedule a specific time. Make sure to suggest a few times when you’ll be available so your manager can choose the one that’s most convenient for them.

Here’s an email template you can use to give your manager a heads-up that you would like to schedule a meeting to talk about your compensation:

To: [Your manager] Subject: Are you available to meet next week?

Are you available for a short meeting next week to talk about my compensation? It won't take long, and I just wanted to see if we can set aside a few minutes some time soon.

Here are some days and times that seem good for both of us:

Do any of those times work for you? If not, feel free to suggest some times that do work for you and I'll find one that works for me as well!

Thanks for your time!

Scheduling your salary increase discussion via internal chat like Slack or Google Chat

You may not even need to send an email to your manager to schedule a time. You can just reach out in Slack (via DM), Google Chat, or your internal messaging platform.

Here’s what you might say if you have regular 1-on-1s:

Do you mind if we use a few minutes of our next 1-on-1 to talk about my compensation? It won’t take long, and I just wanted to see if we can set aside a few minutes for that topic.

And here’s what you might say if you don’t have regular 1-on-1s:

Are you available for a short meeting next week to talk about my compensation? It won’t take long, and I just wanted to see if we can set aside a few minutes some time soon.

When should you use these scripts to schedule a meeting to ask for a salary increase?

Once you’ve sent your request to schedule a time to talk about getting a raise, the door is open. But there’s still work to do so you can present a compelling case that makes it easy for your manager to work with you to get your raise.

Before you use those templates to schedule a time to ask for a raise, I recommend building your case and putting it in a letter or email. Not only will this help with your collaboration effort, but it will help you to objectively evaluate if you’re even ready to ask for a raise.

The process of putting your case in writing will either help you to clearly see how strong your case is or to identify gaps that you should address before you schedule that meeting to make a formal request.

How to build a compelling case to request a salary increase

Once you’ve scheduled a time with your manager, it will help to be as organized and prepared as possible. Remember, you’re collaborating with your manager to ask a raise, so you want to make it as easy as possible for them to help you achieve your goal.

Here are the basic components you need to ask for a raise. I recommend writing an email because it’s the best way to make sure your case is solid and because an email will be easy to circulate later on for the approval process.

Here is a detailed explanation of each section you should include in your email to make sure your salary increase letter has all the components you need before you ask for your raise.

First, here’s an example that we’ll break down section by section.

Note: Don’t send this email yet! You’ll send it after you ask for a raise in person.

[1. Address] To: [Your manager] [2. Subject] Subject: [Your name] salary adjustment discussion—follow-up

[3. Greeting] Hi [Your manager's name]

[4. Introduction and request] Thanks for your time the other day. As we discussed, it has been [amount of time] since ["my last significant salary adjustment" OR “since I was hired”] , and I would like to revisit my salary now that I’m contributing much more to the company. I’ve been researching salaries for [job title] in [industry] industry, and it looks like the mid-point is around [mid-point from your research] . So I would like to request a raise to [target salary] .

[5. Accomplishments Intro] I’ve been working very hard to find ways to contribute value to our company. Here are some of my accomplishments over the past several months:

[6. Accomplishments]

Activity → result

[7. Accolades Intro] And here is some feedback I’ve received from clients and coworkers over the past several months—their feedback speaks louder than anything I could say:

[8. Accolades]

[9. Conclusion and repeated request] I believe these accomplishments and feedback show that my work merits a higher salary, and [target salary] seems well aligned to the current market and with the additional value I am adding to our company since my current salary was set. I look forward to hearing what I can do to help make this happen.

[10. Signoff and signature] Thanks again for your time and consideration!

All the best

A section-by-section overview the components to include in your salary increase letter

Let’s walk through each section of your email to ask for a raise so you’re comfortable with it. You may already have everything you need to get a raise. Or you may need to do some light research to fill in the blanks.

Each section below has everything you need to complete the template, so let’s get started!

Address it to your manager

Remember, you should send this letter after asking for a raise from your manager. So you’re addressing this email to your manager as a follow-up to a previous conversation.

Subject line

This email is your written salary increase request, so you want everything to be as clear and obvious as possible. Include your name and explicitly state that this letter is about your salary increase request so that there are no surprises for anyone who might read it later on.

Keep it short and sweet: “Hi Tina” will do. You’re going to send this email to your manager after you ask for a raise, so they’ll be expecting it—no need for a formal introduction.

Introduction and request (your target salary)

You have already requested your salary increase in a meeting, and this is a way of reminding your manager what you requested so it’s easy to find when they need to.

I recommend stating the midpoint from your market research before your target salary so that the first number is a market number—a fact that is determined by external data. That should pave the way for your request, which will seem much more reasonable when presented immediately after the market-set midpoint.

Your accomplishments

This is the most important part of your salary increase letter because it clearly describes the additional, unanticipated value you have added to the company since your salary was last set. This is why you’re asking for a raise, so take your time and do this right.

Include a few of your best recent accomplishments to highlight the value of your work. This letter isn’t a complete historical record of everything you’ve ever done for the company. It’s a skimmable document that makes a strong case for whoever is holding the purse strings to give you a raise.

You want the person reading this to think, “They’re already adding so much more value to the company then when they were hired. This seems like a totally reasonable request given all the money they have and saved us since then.”

I recommend covering a reasonable amount of time—the past six to 12 months—in this section so that your case is as compelling as possible when you finally present it. If you have trouble with this section, that’s a red flag that your case may not be as strong as you anticipated, and you may not have earned as much of a raise as you thought.

Your accolades

Accolades are awards or recognition that you’ve received for your work. Managers are busy people, and sometimes they won’t notice the great work you do. This is your chance to let them know that others have noticed your great work in case they missed it.

Highlight your best results from the past six months to a year. This isn’t a complete record, it’s a skimmable list that should raise eyebrows when others see it. Remember that the person approving this salary increase request may not know who you are, so you’re giving them a short summary of your accolades to let them know that they should be impressed with you because other people are impressed with you.

I strongly recommend you have at least a couple items in this section before asking for a raise, but if your “Accomplishments” section makes a very strong case on its own, this section may not be necessary.

Conclusion and repeated request

Finish your letter with a summary of your salary increase request along with your case. This is a one-paragraph summary of your request, just in case the reader is in a hurry. Keep it to just two or three sentences.

Signoff and signature

Thank your manager for their time and keep it brief.

What to say to your boss in your 1-on-1 asking for a raise (do this before you send your salary increase letter!)

I recommend asking for a raise in person before you send this salary increase letter. Writing your case ahead of time is the perfect way to prepare for that discussion so you’re sure that your case is rock solid before you ask for a raise.

This conversation will be fluid, but it will help to start it off on the right path. Once you’ve scheduled your 1-on-1 with your manager and you’ve got your case in writing, you have everything you need to ask for your raise in person.

Here’s a script you can use to begin that conversation with your manager in your 1-on-1:

Thanks for taking the time to talk with me about my compensation. As I mentioned in my email, I would like to ask for a raise. Based on the work I’ve been doing and some market research I’ve done, I would like to ask for a raise to [your target salary] .

Since my last salary adjustment, I’ve done things like [one of your accomplishments] and have gotten some great recognition like [one of your accolades] , so I think I’m ready for this raise.

Can you help me with this?

You manager may give you immediate feedback or ask some clarifying questions, but then the approval process takes over.

What happens after you ask for your raise in person and in writing?

Once you’ve asked your manager for a raise and then followed up by sending your raise request in writing, your manager will need to get approval for your raise.

The reason this email is so important is that your manager will likely forward it to the approvers so they have all the information they need to make their decision as to whether it’s time to increment your salary. If you ask for a raise without sending this email, then your manager will have to summarize your case for you, and they’re just not going to do as good a job as you can.

So this email gives you the opportunity to make your case in your own words to whoever needs to approve your request. And that gives you the greatest chance getting your salary increase.

Follow-up on your request with a short email

Getting a raise is a top priority for you, but it probably isn’t your manager’s top priority. Even if you schedule a good time to talk with your manager and bring a strong case when asking for a raise, you may not hear back for a while.

So you may need to follow up a few times to make sure your request doesn’t fall through the cracks.

Here’s a short email template you can use to follow up after you ask for a raise.

To: [Your manager] Subject: Re: [Your name] salary adjustment discussion—follow-up

Thanks again for taking the time to talk about my compensation. I just wanted to follow up to see if there's anything else I can provide to help the process along.

Do you need anything else from me?

If not, what are our next steps?

Thanks again for your time!

A good subject for this followup email is “Re: [Your name] salary adjustment discussion—follow-up” because you should reply to the thread where you sent your written request if possible. That will make it easy for your manager to find your request when it’s time to pass it along to HR or Finance for consideration.

I recommend waiting a week or two before sending a followup email. If you don’t hear anything definitive after another week or two, send it again. And make sure you continue to follow up on your conversation in your 1-on-1s as well.

You may need to follow up several times to get the ball rolling.

What if your salary increase request is put on hold for now?

One last thing: Asking for a raise—even with a strong case—doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the raise you asked for. Sometimes you’ll get a clear “yes” or “no”, but sometimes your manager will say “It’s just not a good time right now” or “I don’t think you’re quite ready yet. Let’s revisit this later.”

In this case, it’s important to establish a clear plan so you know exactly what you need to do to improve your case and revisit your request at a better time.

Here’s an email template you can use to ask your manager for a specific plan to get your next raise:

Thanks again for taking the time to talk about my compensation.

I’m disappointed that we couldn’t adjust my salary to [your target salary], but I understand that the timing isn't quite right, and I want to be ready when it's time to revisit our discussion.

Can we please talk about what I need to do, specifically, to earn that raise? And can we talk about a timetable for when it might be feasible?

I would love to work with you to put together a clear action plan and timeline so we can continue this discussion and monitor my progress as I work toward my goal.

Thanks for working with me on this!

You can send an email to ask for a plan, or you could paraphrase ask verbally in your next 1-on-1. Your goal in this situation is to establish your specific goals and a specific timeline so you can measure progress and revisit the conversation later on.

Specificity is the key to avoiding raise limbo.

What to say when asking for a raise at work is a big topic. But we can break it down into smaller pieces that are each relatively straightforward.

Ask for a time to discuss your pay raise to get the ball rolling:

Ask to discuss you salary increase in your next 1-on-1

Draft your salary increase letter to ask for a raise in writing

Ask for your salary increase in person with this script.

How to ask for a raise in person

Follow up until you get a definitive answer

Ask for a specific plan to get a salary increase if your request wasn’t granted, you might also like.

The software developer’s guide to getting a raise without changing jobs

Here’s how to boost your lifetime earnings by hundreds of thousands of dollars by getting periodic raises without changing jobs.

How to write a salary increase letter to ask for a raise (including templates)

How do you ask for a salary increase? Here’s how to write a salary increase letter, schedule a meeting with your boss, and follow up to get your next raise.

Use the “Start. Stop. Continue.” method to plan your next steps

This simple method will help you evaluate your past results and plan for future progress.

Back to Articles

A former hiring manager shows you how to finally get the raise you deserve

Negotiating a job offer from a big tech company? I'll help!

I'm Josh Doody, a professional salary negotiation coach who helps Senior Software Engineers and Engineering Managers negotiate job offers from big tech companies. On average, Software Engineers and Engineering Managers improve their first-year compensation by $47,273 with my help.

Apply for a free 15-minute intro call to learn how I can help.

Get 1-on-1 Help Or learn more about Josh

Proven salary negotiation strategies and tactics for Senior Software Engineers and Engineering Managers negotiate the best possible compensation and get paid what they're worth.

Get 1-on-1 Help Or contact Josh

How to Ask Your Employer for a Raise

Updated January 13, 2023

All products and services featured are independently selected by WikiJob. When you register or purchase through links on this page, we may earn a commission.

If you have been working for the same company for a couple of years and have not yet received a pay rise, it might be time to take the initiative and ask for one yourself.

Requesting a raise can feel daunting, but it is important to take responsibility for your career progress and ask for the level of remuneration you feel is proportionate and deserved.

If you do not feel confident enough to lodge a request, you may be missing an opportunity.

Working in a role in which you feel underpaid and underappreciated will only lead you to become resentful and discontented with your job .

The best way of initiating a conversation around salary is to submit a formal request .

You will need to follow up any written request with a one-on-one meeting with your manager, but a written request is a professional way of initially lodging your desire for greater remuneration.

Also, if you are nervous about raising the subject, a written request can help you to broach it in a structured and non-confrontational manner, open opportunities for discussion and include clear evidence in support of it.

It also avoids putting your manager on the spot, giving them a chance to duly consider the ask.

Moreover, a request in writing is required to be taken seriously and further correspondence or conversation on the topic would be expected.

A written request will also be kept on file, regardless of the outcome, providing a record.

This article will talk you through what to consider when writing a pay rise request and how to make a strong case, to give you the best chance of being considered for a raise.

What to Do Before Asking for a Raise

Before asking for a raise, make sure you are prepared to have an evidence-based conversation around your request.

First, it is worth finding out how your salary matches up to the average for your role and experience level.

You can find out if you are being underpaid by comparing the salary data using the following resources:

Compare your existing wage to these salary trends. Use them to gather relevant data showing your raise request is in line with the industry average for someone with your experience, skills and role.

It may also be worth inquiring with your HR department as to how pay raises at the company are calculated.

Next, review your responsibilities and performance in the role .

Think about what you have achieved for the company over the time you have worked there and why this indicates you are worthy of a raise.

Try to consider your achievements quantitatively, pulling out headlines with numbers if possible, such as a percentage of increased sales, the number of new clients brought in or projects successfully delivered.

Consider what is most prized by your firm and illustrate how you have delivered against that metric – companies tend to respond to requests written in the same language they speak.

By ensuring you have done enough research to back up your request, you will be in a stronger position to intelligently challenge any comments or questioning about the sector/role appropriate level of your current wage.

When Is the Right Time to Ask for a Raise?

When requesting a raise, consider the appropriateness of your timing. It may have a great bearing on the outcome of your request.

If the company has been under recent financial strain, it may not be the best time to ask for a raise. Your request may be viewed as simply unviable or, worse, insensitive.

If, however, it has just secured a new account and is growing and positive about the future, this may be your time.

If management has recently seen good progress, they should be more open to recognizing their employees’ skills and investing in their job satisfaction, as this will also feed progress.

Do also pay attention to smaller factors like your manager’s workload or current level of satisfaction. Submitting a raise request to someone who is feeling over-worked and burnt out may damage your chances of a positive response.

It is also sensible to consider the timing in the context of your own work. Have you just completed a well-received project or signed a new client?

Recent achievements in your performance make a good backdrop for a raise request.

If your annual review is soon, your raise request may sit well with this process.

If, however, it is mid-year and salary reviews form a normal part of an annual review process, it is likely better to adhere to the structure and hold off on your raise request.

If applicable, consider how long it has been since your last raise.

Company culture will dictate the time frame for salary reviews but, in general, a year or more should have elapsed before submitting a request for a further increase.

Three Key Things to Include in Your Raise Request

These key points will strengthen your request, encouraging action and, at the very least, acknowledgment.

1. Assess and Include Qualifications, Awards and Accomplishments

Include a clear indication of the value you bring to the company.

The best way to do this is to highlight any professional qualifications you have achieved during your time at the company, alongside any awards or major accomplishments.

These will differ depending on your career sector and role but may include being certified by a professional management organization or industry body, successful publications, securing funding for new projects, repeatedly hitting targets, or receiving internal acclaim or outside press for your work.

These quantified achievements will help to demonstrate why your work stands out and merits a pay rise.

2. Research and State an Exact Figure, Percentage or Salary Range

In your request letter, be clear about what it is you are asking for. A specific request is more likely to be taken seriously and, in stating a salary figure or percentage rise, you are less likely to receive a counter offer well below what you would be willing to accept.

If you are unsure of the company’s financial flexibility and therefore uncomfortable committing to an exact figure, include a salary range instead.

It is sensible to pitch your desired salary figure slightly above what you would be happy with, to act as a safeguard. It may help alleviate some of the impact of inevitable comprise during negotiation.

3. Request a Meeting to Discuss Your Raise Request

Do not leave the next step open or ambiguous. Ask for a meeting to discuss your raise request further.

This will help to ensure your request does not get lost or put off to some unspecified future time.

If you have access to shared calendars, suggest a date and time which appears free.

What Not to Include in Your Raise Request

It is best to avoid the following in your pay rise request:

Comparing your salary using any insights you might have into the pay-level of your colleagues.

Using the length of time you have been at the company as the main justification for your raise.

A negative tone – complaining about your current salary and any lack of appreciation you may be feeling.

If your raise request is rejected, thank management for considering your request and be patient. Do not react negatively and risk your working relationships or the chance of a future raise.

Even if you decide you are unhappy continuing to work at the same salary level, remember you will still need your manager to write you a good reference .

To find out which jobs fit your personality best, visit our partner CareerFitter and take the Career Test for FREE .

Pass the Quiz for FREE

How to Write Your Raise Request Letter

Once you have conducted your salary research and noted your achievements, it is time to craft your written raise request.

This section will guide you through how to write the request step-by-step and will provide examples.

Your letter should be formal and professional in tone and language , regardless of whether you usually have a more informal relationship with your manager.

In the decision-making process, it will likely go beyond your manager and will also remain on file after the request is resolved.

Who Should You Submit the Raise Request To?

You should submit your raise request to the person who manages salary decisions for your team, such as your manager or the head of your department.

If you are line managed by an individual who does not have those responsibilities, it is still best practice to approach them first and indicate your intentions.

Be wary of going above someone’s head and causing unnecessary friction.

Be transparent about your request and ensure it reaches the desk/inbox of the person who can action it.

It is now most common to send your salary request letter as an email attachment. Ensure the attached letter is formatted correctly and professional both in appearance and tone.

Opening Paragraph – Introduction of Yourself and Your Request

In the first paragraph of your request, clearly outline the reason for the letter , your role, how long you have been at the company and briefly why you believe your work warrants a raise.

For example:

Dear Bill, I have greatly enjoyed working for ABC Consulting over the last three years. During my time here I have become a key part of the team, working across all our specialist areas and delivering consistent results. As my annual performance review approaches, I am writing to request a review of my current salary in tandem.

Paragraph Two – Your Achievements

List out your achievements in the role, including any qualifications, awards or accomplishments. These should be succinctly conveyed and quantified where possible.

Do not assume management knows about the detail of your work or successes. Sell yourself by highlighting your top accomplishments for the company using percentages, figures and time frames.

If possible, indicate how your work has positively impacted the company’s bottom line.

If you can present the case that you are a valuable asset, your request has a better chance of being heeded and approved.

Including your achievements as a bullet point list calls attention to the content and makes them easier to read and absorb.

My notable contributions over the last year alone include: Securing $200,000 of funding for two new community engagement projects – including salaried coordinators. Attracting two new high-profile clients to the company – Hope Housing & Bay Construction. The completion of CPD to gain the next level of professional certification, bringing increased kudos to the expertise of the company. I exceeded the benchmarks set in my last performance review within the first quarter of this financial year.

Paragraph Three – What You Are Seeking

After listing your accomplishments to indicate your value to the company in paragraph two, the third paragraph of your letter should include what pay raise you are seeking – as an exact figure, percentage or range.

Keep this short and to the point. Make it is clear what you are asking for from management. Back up your requested amount by referencing your research into salary trends.

If you feel you are being underpaid, you may wish to highlight the discrepancy between your current pay and the average industry wage for your level and region.

But remember that drawing direct comparisons between you and your co-workers can cause unnecessary friction.

Considering these achievements and the benefit to the company, I would like to request a salary increase of 5%. This raise would bring my salary in line with the regional industry expectations for an individual with my responsibilities and experience.

Paragraph Four – Call to Action

The final paragraph should request a meeting to discuss your salary increase – to ensure your request is furthered – and a polite sign off .

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my salary increase further, at a time convenient for you. I am content to wait until my performance review in a fortnight or to attend a separate meeting if this is deemed more appropriate. I would like to express my gratitude for the support and opportunities I have been given since I joined ABC and I look forward to continuing to play a valued role in the company’s evolution and expansion. Thank you for taking the time to consider my request and I hope to confirm a follow-up meeting date soon. Sincerely, Beverley

How to Prepare for a Meeting About Your Raise

Once you have submitted your request – including asking for a follow-up meeting to discuss it further - you will (hopefully) have a meeting time set by your manager.

Here are four tips for preparing for your in-person meeting :

Try and put the nerves aside – Conversations about salary are commonly reported as uncomfortable by both employees and employers. You have done your research and opened the floor for a natural conversation about your salary. Remain strong in the belief that you deserve the raise you requested; let that give you the confidence to sell yourself.

This article on general interview advice may help.

Be clear on your request – Be ready to reiterate what you would like and give a brief explanation of the research that led you to settle upon that figure.

Keep your achievements in your mind – It is important to remember the accomplishments you highlighted in your written request. Be prepared to expand on these to back up your case. It is also sensible to have further examples ready to illustrate your value just in case.

Be prepared to negotiate – All salary meetings will involve an element of negotiation . If you are told the raise is not feasible, enquire as to why and whether a compromise is possible. The response could indicate a raise may be possible in the future. If so, ask what you can do to strengthen your case then, such as further skills or accomplishments. If you are met with great resistance to your pay raise, consider other benefits you may be able to secure in lieu of your increase, such as extra annual leave, a flexible working arrangement or paying for a course to gain you a new qualification.

Example Raise Request Letter

Here is the full raise request letter:

Dear Bill, I have greatly enjoyed working for ABC consulting over the last three years. During my time here I have become a key part of the team, working across all our specialist areas, and delivering consistent results. As my annual performance review approaches, I am writing to request a review of my current salary in tandem. My notable contributions over the last year alone include: Securing $200,000 of funding for two new community engagement projects – including salaried coordinators. Attracting two new high-profile clients to the company – Hope Housing & Bay Construction. The completion of CPD to gain the next level of professional certification, bringing increased kudos to the expertise of the company. I exceeded the benchmarks set in my last performance review within the first quarter of this financial year. Considering these achievements and the benefit to the company, I would like to request a salary increase of 5%. This raise would bring my salary in line with the regional industry expectations for an individual with my responsibilities and experience. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my salary increase further, at a time convenient for you. I am content to wait until my performance review in a fortnight or to attend a separate meeting if this is deemed more appropriate. I would like to express my gratitude for the support and opportunities I have been given since I joined ABC and I look forward to continuing to play a valued role in the company’s evolution and expansion. Thank you for taking the time to consider my request and I hope to confirm a follow-up meeting date soon. Sincerely, Beverley

Final Thoughts

Submitting a raise request outlining the value you bring to your company is the best way of initiating a conversation around salary increase.

Do your research around average industry salaries and carefully review your achievements in the role so you can confidently support your request.

A letter that is clear and proportionate in its asks and strongly evidences the strength of your work stands a much greater chance of securing a meeting for further discussion.

Once you have an outcome from your request, whether positive or negative, it is a good idea to get confirmation in writing. This provides a paper trail for the process and will either help to get your raise actioned sooner or aid subsequent raise requests.

If your raise request is unsuccessful, remember that there will be opportunities to make your request again.

Taking the chance and asking for a raise puts you in a stronger position regardless of the outcome, as opening a dialogue about salary means you can discuss what you can do to increase your chances of securing a raise next time around.

Also, assertiveness is generally viewed as a positive trait by employers.

Expressing your desire for a raise also means your employer is aware of your dissatisfaction regarding remuneration and will hopefully seek to ensure a request can be approved in the future.

If, however, your current role is proving to have little chance of promotion and no funds are available to invest in your skills development, it may well be time to move on to a role in which you can gain the career progression needed for job satisfaction and growth.

Was this article helpful?

You might also be interested in these other WikiJob articles:

Or explore the Features / Useful Resources sections.

IMAGES

Letter To Request A Raise Collection
Example Letter Asking For A Raise
Write Request Raise Letter
Write Request Raise Letter
Letter Template Asking for Raise
Letter Template Asking For A Raise

COMMENTS

How to Write a Letter Asking For a Raise
When you've researched your salary range and chosen a good time to broach the subject, make the ask. Email your manager and explain that you'd
Asking for a Raise Letter: Advice & Sample Letters
How to write a letter asking for a raise · 1. Discuss your achievements. You can't write a letter stating that you need a raise because your rent is going up or
How To Write a Letter Requesting a Pay Raise
When asking for a raise, start by researching salary ranges for your job title, location, and qualifications. Consider your achievements and
How to write a raise request letter
Depending on the nature of your work relationships, you can either ask for a meeting with your supervisor (or whomever makes decisions about raises and
How to Ask for a Raise at Work (With Examples)
"I am writing to request a raise in my current salary. I have been with the company for five years now and believe that my contributions warrant an increase in
How To Write A Salary Increase Letter (Ask For A Raise Examples)
You write a good salary increase letter by clearly stating the letter's purpose, your reasons and justifications for your request, and what
Asking for a Raise: How To Write a Salary Increase Letter
What should I include in a salary increase letter? · Specific achievements and accomplishments · The exact raise (dollar amount or percentage) you
How to write a salary increase letter to ask your boss for a raise
Ask to discuss compensation in your next 1-on-1 · Schedule a one-off meeting to talk about pay · Salary increase letter - building your case · Follow up on your
How to Ask Your Employer for a Raise (With Example Letter)
In the first paragraph of your request, clearly outline the reason for the letter, your role, how long you have been at the company and briefly
50 Best Salary Increase Letters (How To Ask For A Raise?)
The letter's general purpose. In the first paragraph of your letter, mention how you enjoy working with the company. · The reason for your request · The