How to ask for a raise (and leave with a real answer)

To ask for a raise, collect proof of the results you've delivered, choose a specific number backed by market data, request a dedicated meeting, state the number clearly and then stop talking. Close by asking for a decision or a date. Afterwards, send a short email summarizing what was agreed.

Steps to ask for a raise

Write down what has changed since your last pay review: new duties, bigger scope, results with numbers.
Check the pay range for your role and location, then pick a minimum, a target and an ambitious number.
Ask your manager for a short meeting about your compensation, so the topic doesn't get squeezed into a regular one-on-one.
In the meeting, give two or three results, say your number, and pause.
Ask for a decision, or for who decides and by when.
The same day, email a summary of the request, the answer and any next step or date.

What to say when you ask for a raise

Keep it short and specific. For example: "Over the last year my role has grown to include [new responsibility], and it's led to [result]. Based on that and the market range for this role, I'd like to discuss moving my salary to [number]. What would it take to make that happen?"

The sentence people most often skip is the number itself. Without it, your manager can respond to your accomplishments with praise and never address pay.

Common mistakes

Talking about how hard you work instead of what your work produced
Asking for "a raise" without a specific number
Comparing yourself with a coworker's salary
Accepting "let me think about it" without a date

What to do if the answer is no

Ask what specifically would need to change for the answer to be yes, who has to approve it and when you can revisit it. Put those three things in your follow-up email so the conversation doesn't simply disappear.

Questions

Should I ask for a raise by email or in person?

Use email to request the meeting, and have the conversation in person or on video. Then confirm what was agreed in writing.

Is it bad to ask for a raise outside of review season?

No. If your role has clearly grown or you've delivered strong results, it's reasonable to ask outside the cycle. Timing it before budgets are set usually helps.

What if my manager says there's no budget?

Ask when budget will be available, who controls it and what you'd need to show by then. Agree on a date to revisit and put it in writing.

How often can you ask for a raise?

Most companies review pay once a year, so once a year is the usual rhythm. Asking sooner makes sense when your role has clearly changed or you've delivered an unusually strong result.

What should you not say when asking for a raise?

Avoid three things: comparing your pay with a coworker's, using personal expenses as the reason, and threatening to quit. Keep the case about the work and its results.

When is a bad time to ask for a raise?

During layoffs or a hiring freeze, right after you started, when the company just lost a major client, or in a week when your manager is buried. Ask for a date instead of dropping it.

Should I ask during my performance review or in a separate meeting?

A separate, dedicated conversation works better. In a review, compensation often gets squeezed in at the end, after decisions are already made. If the review is your only option, tell your manager beforehand that you'd like to discuss compensation in it.

Is asking for a raise unprofessional?

No. Asking is a normal part of work when it's done with preparation, a specific number and evidence. What reads as unprofessional is an ultimatum, a surprise ambush or a request based on personal expenses.

Can asking for a raise get you fired?

A polite, well-prepared request very rarely causes that, and many employers expect it. Rules about pay discussions vary by country and state, so if you're worried about retaliation, talk to a qualified employment lawyer. This guide isn't legal advice.

Should I ask in person or by email?

Use email to request the meeting, have the conversation in person or on video, then confirm what was agreed in writing. Asking for the raise itself only by email makes it easier to postpone.

Who should I ask for a raise: my manager or HR?

Start with your direct manager, who usually proposes or approves pay changes. HR can explain the process and the pay bands, but the request normally travels through your manager.

Should I ask for a raise or a promotion?

If you're doing the same role better, ask for a raise. If you're already doing work that belongs to a more senior role, ask about the promotion path, because that usually unlocks a bigger range.