How to Ask for a Raise at Work (With Tips, Scripts, and Email Templates)
By
Samantha Cox
•
Jul 7, 2025
Ready to ask for a raise but not sure how to begin? You’re not alone. This guide walks you through how to prepare, present your case, and confidently negotiate the salary you deserve, all while making sure your hard work gets the recognition it’s earned. And if you’re on the hiring side, tools like Fonzi can help you stay in tune with market trends and keep your compensation strategy competitive.
Key Takeaways
Preparation is key: Choose the right time, conduct salary research, and analyze your contributions before asking for a raise.
Build a strong case: Document your achievements, highlight additional responsibilities, and gather positive feedback to support your request.
Maintain professionalism: Avoid entitlement statements and ultimatums, and be open to discussing future opportunities if your request is denied.
Introduction to Asking for a Raise
A raise is all about being recognized for the value you bring. At some point in every career, you’ll face that moment: do you speak up and ask for what you’re worth? Whether your role has expanded or you’ve realized your salary no longer matches industry standards, the key is confidence backed by preparation. Start by digging into salary data for your job title and experience level. Knowing what’s fair in the market gives you the foundation to ask for a raise that’s realistic, competitive, and, most importantly, earned.
Understanding your value to the company is just as important as knowing the numbers. Take time to reflect on your achievements, the impact you’ve made, and how your contributions support the company’s goals. By preparing a solid case and familiarizing yourself with key terms like pay raise, salary research, and salary range, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the process of asking for a raise. This guide will walk you through each step so you can make a compelling raise request and discuss salary with confidence.
Preparing for the Raise Conversation
Job satisfaction and appropriate compensation are crucial reasons for asking for a raise. Before the conversation, thorough preparation is key. This preparation involves picking the right moment, conducting salary research, and analyzing your current position.
Putting your new skill set into action and meeting with a career advisor can also provide valuable skills guidance.
Choose the Optimal Moment
Timing is everything. Choosing the appropriate time to discuss a raise significantly impacts the success of your raise request. Optimal moments include after completing significant projects or during scheduled performance reviews. Choosing the right time period, such as after a major accomplishment or when there is a performance review coming up, can increase your chances of success. Factors like the company’s financial health and your manager’s stress levels should also be considered.
Pay attention to the bigger picture before you make your move. How’s the company performing? Is your manager buried in deadlines or feeling more at ease? If the business is thriving and your manager isn’t under heavy pressure, that could be your moment to bring up the raise. Choosing the right timing shows emotional intelligence and awareness of the bigger context, qualities that can strengthen your case.
Conduct Salary Research
Knowing what others in your role earn is vital for a raise request. Consider the following:
Utilize tools such as the Monster Salary Calculator.
Compare roles and responsibilities similar to yours to ensure your expectations align with current market trends.
Consider factors such as industry standards, experience, and cost of living to determine an appropriate salary range.
It's important to know your current salary and compare it to industry standards and market rates, as this helps you justify your request with solid data.
With this information, you can confidently approach salary discussions. Credible salary data helps you understand what peers in similar roles earn, allowing you to make a well-informed case for a salary increase. Being well-prepared paves the way for successful salary negotiations and helps you gather relevant salary information. Determine a specific figure or percentage increase to request, based on your research, to make your negotiation more effective.
Analyze Your Current Position
Evaluating your job responsibilities and achievements is crucial for justifying a raise request. Take a look back at your performance over the past year and pinpoint the moments when you went above and beyond expectations. Create a list of recent accomplishments and projects that showcase your value to the company during the fiscal year.
Explain how your contributions have positively impacted the company by highlighting:
Key performance indicators
Successful projects
Completion of a major project that delivered significant results
Increased profits
Improved processes
This analysis forms a solid foundation for your raise request, showcasing the tangible benefits and cost savings you bring to the organization.
Building Your Case for a Raise
A successful raise request hinges on precise timing, evidence of your contributions, and understanding of salary benchmarks. Focus on concrete evidence of your achievements, additional responsibilities, and positive feedback to build a compelling case.
Highlight your education, years of experience, time with the current employer, and specialized skills to showcase your value. Avoid entitlement phrases and concentrate on your contributions.
Document Your Achievements
Quantifiable achievements and metrics are crucial when asking for a raise. Include data that highlights the value of your contributions to the organization. AI tools can also analyze and align your personal achievements with organizational goals, further strengthening your case. Additionally, highlighting how your contributions differ from or exceed those of other employees can make your request more compelling.
Showcasing your documented achievements enhances your argument during the raise conversation. Clear documentation of your impact makes it harder for your manager to overlook your request, especially when you have a strong track record.
Highlight Additional Responsibilities
Showing the added responsibilities you’ve taken on since your last job title pay review is crucial for a salary increase. Reference specific new duties or roles you’ve taken on, especially if you have taken on more responsibility, such as onboarding or managing new hires, to strengthen your case for a raise.
Specify the new roles or tasks undertaken to justify the increase. Taking on more responsibility highlights your growth and contribution, clarifying why you deserve a higher salary and more responsibilities in your job description.
Gather Positive Feedback
Positive remarks from colleagues and supervisors can serve as powerful endorsements when requesting a salary increase. Gather feedback from performance reviews and everyday interactions to build a compelling case. This feedback can significantly boost your request, demonstrating your positive impact on the team and organization.
Maintaining a positive relationship with your manager is also important, especially when seeking feedback and after salary discussions.
How to Ask for a Raise
A step-by-step guide is crucial for preparing to ask for a raise. This includes scheduling a private meeting, presenting your case confidently, and preparing for negotiation. Maintain a professional and serious attitude, focusing on your contributions and career goals.
Use hard data and your achievements to make a strong case for a paid time last pay increase while paying attention to your contributions.
Remember, asking for a raise is an important discussion that can significantly impact your career trajectory.
Schedule a Private Meeting
To schedule a private appointment effectively:
Ideally, arrange it in person or over a video call.
Choose a private setting to keep the conversation confidential.
If the meeting is not during a performance review, schedule it at least two weeks in advance.
When remote, consider asking for a raise via email, especially if you are in a different city from your boss.
To discuss a raise effectively:
Choose a closed-door meeting room as the ideal setting.
Maintain a confident yet casual tone during the discussion.
State the purpose of the meeting at the beginning to set the right expectation.
Express confidence in your performance and your belief that you deserve a raise.
Present Your Case Confidently
To back up your raise request, present a detailed list of your accomplishments and successes, including:
Specific examples of your contributions that have positively impacted the company or team.
Clear reasons for the raise based on your achievements.
Evidence that your performance meets or exceeds market standards.
Reference the time since your last raise, especially if it has been over a year, as this can strengthen your case for a salary review.
Your written request should clearly outline these key points to reinforce your case effectively, which makes sense.
Do your homework on salary ranges to make sure your request matches market trends. Be specific, state the number you’re asking for, and base it on real data.
Practice negotiating your raise with simulation tools or in front of a mirror to build confidence. Request a salary that is slightly higher than what you actually want to account for potential negotiation.
Prepare for Negotiation
Be prepared for negotiation when asking for a raise. The negotiation process is about demonstrating your value and justifying why you deserve more money for your contributions. Be flexible and open to alternatives during salary discussions. Be ready to answer questions from your manager regarding your accomplishments and discuss salary research.
If a raise isn’t feasible, ask when you can revisit the conversation and set a timeline for future discussions. This approach shows your willingness to continue working towards your goal, demonstrating your commitment to growth within the company.
Example Scripts for Asking for a Raise
Using an example script can help you prepare for the conversation and articulate your raise request clearly and confidently. Whether you prefer a formal or casual approach, these scripts can guide you through the conversation. An email requesting a raise should include a clear statement of the case and specific examples.
The main components of a raise request email are the subject line, body, and ending.
Script 1: Performance-Based Raise Request
When crafting a raise request, detail the following specific achievements and points to showcase your value to the company:
Your proposed salary change.
Recent accomplishments.
Additional responsibilities and projects you have taken on.
A request for a meeting to discuss the raise.
Mention these elements clearly in your raise request email to effectively communicate your contributions and justify your salary increase.
Highlight contributions like consistently meeting or exceeding goals, leading product launches, and streamlining processes. Reference your contributions and compare them to market benchmarks when discussing a salary adjustment.
Script 2: Responsibility-Based Raise Request
When requesting a raise, clearly articulate how your responsibilities have expanded since your last evaluation by:
Documenting specific instances where you have taken on new tasks or roles, such as leading a project or mentoring new staff.
Showing how these additional responsibilities have positively influenced team dynamics or company results.
Reinforcing your value to the company through these contributions.
If your role has grown significantly, consider discussing a potential title change in addition to your raise request, as this can formally recognize your expanded responsibilities and contributions.
After presenting your case, confidently request a raise that reflects the increased value you bring to the organization. This demonstrates your commitment and growth, clarifying why you deserve a higher salary.
Using AI Tools to Prepare for Your Raise Discussion
AI tools can act as practice partners, sounding boards, and personalized coaches to help prepare for a raise discussion. They help refine your arguments and provide different perspectives based on AI insights.
MailMaestro, for example, is an AI writing assistant that streamlines drafting an email to ask for a raise. It features:
A collection of email templates
Coverage of formatting
Grammar checking
Spelling correction
Punctuation assistance
Practice Conversations With AI
AI tools can simulate real conversations, providing unlimited practice without judgment. AI practice allows you to experiment with different conversation approaches. This can boost your confidence and help refine your strategy for future conversations.
Refine Your Argument With AI Insights
AI tools can help refine your raise conversation by:
Providing strategic insights.
Conducting salary research to help you understand market standards.
Fine-tuning your arguments for a raise based on data analysis and feedback.
Using AI tools in your raise conversation can lead to more confident and well-supported requests.
What Not to Say When Asking for a Raise
Knowing what not to say is as important as knowing what to say when asking for a raise. Avoid entitlement statements, such as ‘I deserve a raise’. Words that undermine your confidence, like believe, feel, think, just, only, and might, can weaken your argument.
Avoid ultimatums or salary comparisons, as they can create a negative tone and potentially harm your relationship with management. Professionalism during a raise conversation is crucial for effective communication.
Avoid Entitlement Statements
Avoid statements like ‘I’m overdue for a raise’. Instead of claiming you deserve a raise, consider the following approach:
Explain the impact you’ve made through projects.
List quantifiable results.
Remember that tenure does not guarantee a raise.
Focus on your contributions and achievements instead of cost-of-living adjustments.
Entitlement statements can undermine your request and are perceived negatively.
Don't Compare Salaries
Bringing up coworkers’ salaries can backfire, as it may not reflect your qualifications. These comparisons may lead to misunderstandings about your own value in the workplace. Citing industry salary standards is more effective than peer comparisons.
Focusing on your performance and contributions can strengthen your case for a raise.
Steer Clear of Ultimatums
Issuing ultimatums, like threatening to leave, can harm your negotiating position. Indicate you have received other offers but prefer to stay under the right conditions.
Avoid statements that include ultimatums when asking for a raise.
Handling a Denied Raise Request
If your raise request is denied, respond professionally and continue the conversation to understand future steps. Some companies may have strict policies or budget constraints that affect their ability to grant raises, so understanding these factors can help you navigate the conversation. A manager may deny a raise request due to budget constraints or concerns about maintaining pay equity among employees.
Consider the following when negotiating compensation:
Other forms of compensation, like benefits or additional vacation time, can be negotiated alongside salary during salary negotiation.
After a denied request, evaluate your long-term fit.
Discuss potential future raises or promotions.
Seek Constructive Feedback
To address a denial and seek improvement, consider the following steps:
Ask for reasons behind the denial to understand what aspects need improvement.
Directly ask your manager for feedback on your performance that led to the denial.
Inquire about how you can expand your scope or improve your impact to be considered for future raises.
Ask what you can do to earn a future raise, showing initiative and readiness to improve.
Discuss Future Opportunities
Showing interest in future promotions signals that you’re invested in growing with the company. Talk with your manager about when to revisit salary conversations, it keeps expectations clear. Staying in touch about your career goals helps make sure you and your employer are on the same page.
Additionally, expressing your desire to contribute to the company's success can reinforce your commitment during discussions about future opportunities. This approach helps create a pathway for professional growth and shows your long-term dedication to moving the company’s success.
Consider Alternative Compensation
If a salary increase is not possible, consider other forms of compensation. Some employers may be more flexible with alternative compensation options, such as additional benefits or professional development opportunities.
If your raise request is rejected, consider whether to stay in your current position or look for a new job. If not compensated fairly, consider seeking new job opportunities.
Following Up and Next Steps
After you’ve asked for a raise, don’t let the conversation end there. Following up shows professionalism and keeps the momentum going. Use this stage to clarify next steps, continue the discussion, or explore other options if a salary bump isn’t immediately possible.
Here’s how to handle the follow-up:
Reiterate your value: Briefly remind your manager of your contributions and the impact you’ve made.
Be specific: Discuss clear numbers or ranges, backed by your research.
Stay flexible: If a raise isn’t doable right now, consider alternatives like extra PTO, flexible hours, or development opportunities.
Set a timeline: Agree on when to revisit the discussion or implement changes.
Keep it positive: Stay professional and collaborative, no matter the outcome.
By staying proactive and open to dialogue, you show long-term commitment and set the tone for future growth conversations.
Summary
Asking for a raise is a crucial part of career growth and long-term job satisfaction. By preparing thoroughly, documenting your achievements, highlighting added responsibilities, and gathering positive feedback, you create a strong case for a salary increase. Use AI tools to practice and refine your pitch, and steer clear of entitlement statements, comparisons, or ultimatums. If the answer is “not yet,” take it as an opportunity to gain feedback and plan your next steps. And for recruiters or managers aiming to stay competitive in compensation and retention, Fonzi AI offers smart insights and hiring support to help attract and retain top talent.
