Do you think you deserve a raise? Write a salary increase request letter.
Artwork by: Irina Troitskaya
- How to ask for a raise in writing
- Choose the right time
- Do some research
- Be specific
- Emphasize your value
- Express gratitude
- Tips for asking for a raise in a letter
- Key takeaways
If the thought of asking for a raise terrifies you, consider writing a salary increase letter. In a letter, you can clearly state your request and the reasons you have for making it. Check out our sample letter asking for a raise to help you draft your own.
Asking for a pay raise—even when you know you’ve earned it—can be scary. Writing a salary increase letter to your manager can make the process feel less overwhelming. In a letter, you can make your request confidently and explain exactly why you deserve a bump in pay.
In this article, we’ll show you how to ask for a salary increase and provide a sample letter asking for a raise. We’ll discuss:
The steps you can take to write a salary increase request letter
A copyable example you can follow
Tips for making your case for a raise
How to ask for a raise in writing
Writing a salary increase letter is a good way to ask for a raise. It creates a paper trail, providing formal documentation of your request. It also allows you to convey what you want and why you should get it.
Follow these steps to write an effective salary increase request letter:
Choose the right time
Choose the best time to send a salary letter to your manager. If you have a performance review coming up, aim to send the letter ahead of your review. That gives your manager some time to consider your request as they evaluate your performance over the past year. If your company doesn’t have a formal review process, make sure you’re sending the letter at a time when your manager can give their full attention to your request.
Do some research
Know your market value when asking for a raise. Research the salary ranges for your position using local and national data. In your letter, you can reference this data to back up your request.
Be specific
Open your letter by clearly stating that you’re asking for a salary review. Briefly describe why you believe you deserve a raise. For example, you might mention your years of experience with the company or your willingness to take on extra work.
Using the research you’ve collected, outline how much of a raise you’re requesting. Explain how the amount you’re asking for aligns with the average salary for someone with your experience and skills.
- Mention that you’re requesting a salary increase because of your hard work or successful outcomes. Keep the focus on your professional achievements.
- Include personal details about what you’ll do with the extra income, such as purchasing a new home. Companies are looking to reward your value, not your lifestyle.
Emphasize your value
A salary increase letter is a request for the company to reward you for the added value you bring to the organization. In the body of your letter, emphasize the achievements you’ve had in your role. Describe the results of your work and explain how you’ve contributed to the company’s success.
Provide specific examples and use statistical insights to prove your value as an employee. For example, you might include a sentence like, “Over the last year, I’ve trained three new employees on team processes and policies, streamlining the onboarding process by 25%.”
Express gratitude
End your letter by expressing gratitude for your manager’s support and consideration. Mention that you’d appreciate the opportunity to speak with them in more detail about your compensation. Showing this gratitude can help you keep a positive relationship with your supervisor.
Review this example to help you draft a salary increase request letter:
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to formally request a review of my work performance and current salary. During my [X] years with [Company Name] as a [Position Title], my ability to contribute at a high level has grown exponentially.
I believe my accomplishments and contributions over the past [X] months justify a [X] percent increase in my annual salary, which will put me in line with the national average for my position, experience, and skill level.
Some of my distinguishing accomplishments and achievements over the past [X] months include:
Accelerated the company growth by [X] percent and delivered $[X] in new revenue
Implemented new strategies to save the company $[X] in expenses
Expanded the company’s brand by entering new and underdeveloped markets in [Area]
Managed [X] new responsibilities, resulting in a [X] percent increase in team productivity
Earned my [Certification Name] in [Field or Area]
Please note that the median salary for [Position Name] in the state of [State Name] is $[X] a year. I believe my [X] years of experience and my contributions to this company have earned me the consideration for a [X] percent annual pay increase.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration regarding this important matter. I look forward to meeting with you and going into further detail about my value, my pay increase request, and the ways I can continue to be an asset to [Company Name] for years to come.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Tips for asking for a raise in a letter
Here are some additional tips to help you write a salary increase letter:
Attach your letter to an email. Draft an email requesting a meeting with your manager to discuss your salary request. Attach your letter to the email as a separate document.
Use formal language. Keep your language formal in both the email and your salary proposal letter. Your manager may need to share it with senior leadership to get approval.
Show confidence. If you know why you want a raise, the added value you bring to the company, and your market value, you can be confident in asking for pay that reflects your worth.
Keep some perspective. If your request gets denied, remember that it may not be a reflection of your performance. Ask your manager why they denied your request. If it’s simply not the right time, plan to revisit the discussion in another three to six months.
Not sure how much your skills and experience are worth? Use Career.io’s Salary Analyzer tool to compare your salary to the market average!
Key takeaways
Research the salary ranges for your position to know your market value. Use this information to guide your salary request.
When asking for a raise in writing, provide examples that clearly show how you’ve added value to the company.
Express gratitude to show appreciation for your manager’s consideration, even if you don’t get the outcome you want.
