How to ask for a raise
Short answerAsk for a meeting about your pay, open with what you've delivered, say the number you want, then stop talking and let them answer. Have your reply to "not now" ready.
Before the meeting
- Write down what changed. What you took on since your last pay review, and what it produced.
- Pick a number. Check what the role pays elsewhere, then choose a figure or a tight range. A vague ask gets a vague answer.
- Book the time. "Could we set 20 minutes this week to talk about my pay?" Don't ambush your manager in the corridor.
What to say
Example openingSince January I've taken over the client reporting and trained two new hires. I'd like my pay to reflect that, and I'm asking for [your figure]. I wanted to hear your view.
Then stop. The silence feels long. Let them fill it.
If the answer is "not now"
- Ask what would need to be true for a yes, and write it down.
- Ask when you can review it again, and get a date.
- Ask for something smaller that's possible now, such as a title change, a budget or a review in three months.
What to avoid
- Apologizing before you start.
- Comparing yourself to a named colleague.
- Mentioning a competing offer unless it's real and you're prepared to act on it.
Common questions
How often can I ask?
Most people raise it at a yearly review or after a clear change in responsibility. Asking right after a visible win is easier than asking in a quiet month.
What if my manager can't decide alone?
Ask who decides and what that person needs to see. Offer to send a one-page summary of your results.
Practice it out loud
The hard part is the pushback, like "the budget's frozen" or "let's revisit in the spring". Practice that reply out loud. Luwy plays a manager who says no, then lets you retry your answer.
Written by the Luwy team. Last updated 1 October 2026.