Is a 30% raise reasonable?
"30 to 40 percent is a big increase," Herjavec said, adding that most businesses give raises of approximately "8 to 10 percent." "You shouldn't ask for something that big," he added. "Because you're going to shock somebody."
It's always a good idea to ask for anywhere between 10% to 20% higher than what you're making right now. You may be able to ask for more based on your performance, length of time with the company, and other factors. Make sure you come prepared when you negotiate your raise and be confident.
A good pay raise ranges from 4.5% to 5%, and anything more than that is considered exceptional. Depending on the reasons you cite for a pay raise and the length of time that has passed since your last raise, you could request a raise in the 10% to 20% range.
If you have the performance and market data on hand, you can reasonably ask for a 10-15 percent raise. “If you start asking for 50-100 percent raises, you're probably not going to be able to get there,” he says.
According to a survey conducted by Pearl Meyer in May of 2022, the average base salary for employees increased by 4.8%. Between 2002 and 2022, the average base salary increase was typically about 3%. 8 That means a respectable pay raise typically falls somewhere between 3% and 6%, depending on the year.
Thank your boss for the salary bump and recognition they've already given you, and then explain why you believe the number should be reconsidered. Share your big accomplishments, as well as the salary data you've gathered, to back up why you would like your manager to reconsider your raise.
However, that data showed that the actual median increase in 2022 for executives was 3.5% compared to 4% for all other categories.
In 2022, the compensation firm found that total increases were over 4% for two-thirds of survey participants as compared to this year's median, or 50th percentile, at 4%. And the pay increase was over 6% for a quarter of organizations. This year, that 75th percentile is at 5%.
In 2022, a survey of U.S. companies found employers granted an overall average salary increase of 3.4% since 2021. This is less than half the current inflation rate. Despite a substantial increase from the mean 2021 salary increase of 2.8%, there is a 21% difference.
Oftentimes, we avoid salary negotiation from a mistaken sense of fear; fear of somehow upsetting your future manager, fear of having the job offer pulled, fear of having your counteroffer rejected. Negotiation isn't rude. It isn't going to lose you your job offer.
Is 20% a big raise?
Generally speaking, a good salary increase when changing jobs is between 10-20%. The national average is around 14.8%, so don't be afraid to ask for a similar increase. At a minimum, you should expect a wage growth of at least 5.8% when you change positions.
- 1) Research your pay scale worth.
- 2) Ask your networks and co-workers.
- 3) Having a strategic approach to difficult questions.
- 4) Talking about the other benefits along with the pay scale.
- 5) Don't tell them the previous salary if possible.

The obvious solution is to ask for a pay raise of 8.5% or so to at least stay even with inflation, but that's not always the best strategy, experts say. Your first order of business should be to research pay rates not only for your specific industry and job, but also average pay raises across all industries.
Key Takeaways
The average annual pay raise was about 4.6% in 2022. Pay raises are smaller in normal years, usually around 3%. Many factors influence whether you'll see a pay raise in 2022.
A 3% annual pay increase tends to be considered generous – even when inflation is higher than this. This general rule should not put you off asking for more money, however, if you think you are being underpaid.
According to career site Zippia, job changers see their pay go up by nearly 15 percent, on average, when they land new roles. That's why it's so important to negotiate a salary increase when you're being promoted — your employer likely knows you'll get paid more if you took your talents elsewhere.
- Conduct online research. ...
- Your responsibilities have increased, but you did not get a raise. ...
- You haven't had a performance review. ...
- Your salary does not reflect specialized training or education. ...
- Your salary has not been adjusted for inflation.
- #1 – New Hires Are Offered Higher Salaries. It is a good idea to monitor job listings for your own company. ...
- #2 – You Haven't Had a Raise Since Being Hired. ...
- #3 – There is Turnover All Around You. ...
- #4 – You Make Less Than College Friends. ...
- #5 – The Internet Says So.
- Skill Up to Get Ahead. If you've completed a new qualification, finished some training or are undertaking a new career development program, make sure your boss knows about it. ...
- Go Above and Beyond. ...
- Team Leadership. ...
- Business Benefits. ...
- A Case for Innovation.
Companies are planning big raises, at least for now
Wage growth in 2023 will still be higher than pre-pandemic norms of around 3%, says Nela Richardson, chief economist at the payroll processor ADP. She says recent signs of easing are "modest at best," but that inflation could stay 1% to 2% higher than pay increases.
Will raises keep up with inflation?
Inflation in the United States hit a record high in June 2022. Consumer prices soared by 9.1% compared with a year prior — the largest annual increase since 1981. While wages are rising, they're not keeping up with inflation.
As the new year begins, federal employees may be wondering how much extra money they'll see in their paychecks. President Biden made official a 4.6% average pay raise for civilian federal employees. Of that, 4.1% will go toward an across-the-board increase and the remainder will vary depending on where employees live.
According to our extensive research: The average annual raise in the US is 7.6% as of 2022. The average salary increase when changing jobs is 14.8%, while wage growth is 5.8% for those who remain at their job.
Leverage the current job market
While the average range for job increases is 5-10%, that doesn't mean you're limited to these figures. When switching jobs, you should aim to negotiate for at least a 10-20% pay increase.
Although there's no law against it, firing employees simply for asking for a raise isn't a good business practice. You want to keep employees who put their best efforts into their job, and are willing to go the extra mile.
No. They should be open and willing to discuss why the employee thinks they deserve a raise. Any manager who would get annoyed or angry at an employee who asks for a raise should not be in management.
- “The original offer works for me.” ...
- “My current salary is…” ...
- “I want more than that.” ...
- “I need more money because I have student loans to pay.” ...
- “I hate to ask for more, but…” ...
- "I'm a top performer, and I expect to be paid at the top of your salary scale.”
Try not to take it personally, take a deep breath, and consider your strategy for moving forward. Don't Quit Right Away. Unless you have another secure job offer waiting for you, it's probably wise to avoid quitting in a huff. (In fact, think carefully before resigning dramatically, even if you do have an offer.)
If you get a raise of $1 per hour, whether by getting a promotion or changing jobs, you get that dollar every hour you work. That's why measuring and tracking your earnings with care can add thousands of dollars to your pocket throughout your career. While $1 may not seem like much, it can add up to a lot over time.
Many career-builders turn squeamish when it comes to asking for a raise. The reasons include fear of rejection and discomfort about broaching the subject diplomatically. Often, it's hard pinpointing the exact reason.
Can you ask for too much of a raise?
Some salary negotiation advice encourages asking for any amount that is deserved, and that no amount is too much as long as it reflects the value of what is being delivered at work.
Whether your nerves stem from fear, low self-confidence, or a lack of knowledge surrounding your market value, asking for more from your employer is uncomfortable — even when the odds are in your favor.
When you negotiate a salary for a new position, asking for an additional 10% of what you currently earn is common practice. However, the percentage you ask for depends on the specifics of the new role and other factors.
In 2022, the compensation firm found that total increases were over 4% for two-thirds of survey participants as compared to this year's median, or 50th percentile, at 4%. And the pay increase was over 6% for a quarter of organizations. This year, that 75th percentile is at 5%.
Ask for 15- 25% If...
You're paid competitively in your role but you have been an outstanding contributor. You might also ask for a raise between 15% and 25% if your role has taken on more responsibility but your job title didn't change.
A 3% annual pay increase tends to be considered generous – even when inflation is higher than this. This general rule should not put you off asking for more money, however, if you think you are being underpaid.
How much should my salary increase each year? Your salary should increase by at least 3-5% per year. While annual raises vary a lot depending on your circumstance, a raise of at least 5% is more than adequate. Anything above that would be considered higher than average.
A cost-of-living raise can help you afford increasing expenses due to inflation, but not all employers offer these raises automatically. For years, 2-3% has been the norm, but some employers say they're boosting that to 4%, given the current economic climate.
Prepare your case and determine what value you bring ahead of time. Rehearse your raise request and get feedback from others before the actual meeting. Schedule a meeting to request a raise at a good time to boost your chance of approval. In the meeting, show confidence, use data, and be specific.
It's not impossible to get a 50% raise, but you will definitely need a good argument to convince them if you want to have a chance. The best argument is to simply show them that other companies are willing to give you that kind of money.
How do I know I being paid enough?
Turn to Glassdoor's salary tool to search among millions of real salary reports and find out what people with your job title, in your area, are earning. Search by job, company and location to see average wages, then take a look at how yours stacks up. If you're earning less, you might just be underpaid.
The obvious solution is to ask for a pay raise of 8.5% or so to at least stay even with inflation, but that's not always the best strategy, experts say. Your first order of business should be to research pay rates not only for your specific industry and job, but also average pay raises across all industries.
To achieve correct salary placement, promotional increases typically average between 7% and 12% for a one grade level promotion. If you currently use a fixed percentage for all promotions, such as 8%, consider using a range of percentages.