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The Global Insight

How do I politely ask my boss for a pay rise?

Author

John Johnson

Updated on March 24, 2026

  1. Share your goals and ask for feedback.
  2. Proactively communicate wins.
  3. Demonstrate your accomplishments and added value.
  4. Focus on why you deserve it (not why you need it).
  5. Practice your pitch and anticipate questions.
  6. Do your research.
  7. Talk about the future.
  8. Be prepared to hear no.

How do I ask my boss for a raise?

Our 8 Best Tips on Asking for A Raise

  1. Pull All the Positive Praise You’ve Received Since Your Last Review.
  2. Always Bring Data + Numbers.
  3. Consider What You’ll Bring to the Team in the Coming Year (and Beyond)
  4. Think About Why Your Boss Would Want to Give You More Money.
  5. Come Up With a Real Number.
  6. Get on the Calendar.

How can I get my pay rise at work?

5 Tips to Help You Get a Pay Rise

  1. Have a figure in mind… and make sure it’s realistic.
  2. Gather evidence to build your case. The more evidence you can gather to back-up your proposed pay rise, the better.
  3. Ask in the right way.
  4. Timing is everything.
  5. Be prepared for rejection (but don’t give up)

What is a realistic pay rise?

A 3–5% pay increase seems to be the current average. The size of a raise will vary greatly by one’s experience with the company as well as the company’s geographic location and industry sector. Sometimes raises will include non-cash benefits and perks that are not figured into the percentage increase surveyed.

When to ask your manager for a pay rise?

You can ask them for another discussion in three to six months’ time.” If your manager agrees to a pay rise, ensure you ask for this in writing (email is fine), clarify when the raise will be paid from and suggest that you meet in another year to review your progress and salary again.

How to ask for a raise at work?

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. Salary negotiation—when you’re changing jobs or working to increase your salary at your current job—is a collaboration.

How to talk to your boss about a salary increase?

Here are some pointers on how you can talk to your boss about a salary increase: According to research, you have a higher risk of achieving a better outcome if you neutralize all of your negative feelings first. When you’ve decided to talk to your boss about a salary increase, just focus on the things which are truly relevant.

Can a underpaid employee ask for a raise?

You’re underpaid, so you’re looking for a big raise. And that means you need to demonstrate that you’re an exceptional employee. Asking for a raise is a lot easier when you have the tools to ask for the right thing in the right way.