How to get a pay rise
Written and accurate as at: Mar 12, 2026 Current Stats & Facts
Some people have no difficulty asking for a pay rise; others are reluctant to rock the boat. While it's easy to stay quiet and hope your efforts are recognised eventually, sometimes it’s necessary to give your boss a nudge.
But how can you put your best foot forward? While there’s no surefire way to get the salary increase you’re after, there are a few practical steps you can take to boost your chances.
Do your research
The first step is getting an idea of how much you should be earning, but this isn’t always easy. Many companies have rules around discussing pay with colleagues, and even if these aren’t strictly enforced, they can make your peers think twice before sharing notes.
Fortunately, there are other ways to find out what people in similar roles earn. You can scan job ads or look up salary benchmarks online. And if you’re willing to chat to a recruiter, they can give you insights into current market rates for someone with your experience.
Make sure the timing is right
Next, you’ll need to pick your moment wisely. It’s usually best to wait at least a year after your pay was last negotiated. That said, there might be circumstances that justify an out-of-cycle salary review, like a recent promotion or being recognised with an industry award.
Whatever the case, aim to have the conversation at least two or three months before company budgets are finalised. This gives your manager time to mull it over and chat to HR to see if it’s workable.
And try to keep the broader context of your workplace in mind too. If the company is going through a rough patch or your manager is tied up with a high-pressure project, it might be wise to hold off until a more appropriate moment presents itself.
Remember that success should precede a pay rise
A pay rise isn’t an advance on future effort, nor is it something you’re owed just because you’ve recently taken out a mortgage. Assuming your title isn’t changing, it’s recognition for results you’ve already delivered.
So if you’ve taken on additional responsibilities, led an important project, or delivered tangible value to the company in some other way, be ready to talk about it.
For every accomplishment, make a clear link between the outcome and how it supported the company’s goals. If you can include hard numbers – for example, a 15% increase in sales, a 20% improvement in efficiency – it can make your case much more compelling.
Book that meeting
Instead of springing the conversation on your manager, let them know ahead of time that you’d like to discuss your pay. This gives them a chance to get in the right frame of mind and prepare everything they need to have a serious, productive discussion.
When the time comes, keep the conversation professional and focused on your contributions. And remember: it is a conversation. After you’ve presented your case, be prepared to listen to what your manager has to say in response.
Have a backup plan
If your request is denied, don’t be discouraged. You can ask your manager for specific feedback, and together you might be able to flesh out some goals, timelines or skills to develop before revisiting the conversation down the track.
There might also be non-monetary perks your company can offer as a concession, such as increased flexibility or professional development opportunities.
Asking for a pay rise is rarely fun, but neither is being underpaid. While the decision will ultimately come down to budgets and the wider business strategy, there’s a lot you can do to boost your odds. And even when the answer is no, it’s important to stay optimistic – the conversations that follow can still move your career forward in other ways.
