Strategic Negotiation: How to Ask For A Raise Over Email

Asking for a raise is a normal part of any career, but it can feel uncomfortable or scary. As both an employee and a freelancer, I’ve had to ask for pay increases many times—whether to keep up with inflation, because of increased responsibilities, or because my skills have progressed. Along the way, I’ve developed an approach that always serves me well.

In this article, I’ll share my top tips on how to ask for a raise over email. I’ll cover what information you need before you start writing and give you a helpful template to get you started.

How to ask for a raise over email in 4 steps

Before asking for a raise, you should find the right timing for your request, do your salary research, and compile a list of your achievements, as we discuss below. After that, you’ll be ready to compose your email. We’ll show you how to write one that is both compelling and professional, and provide you with a template to use. 

1. Know the right time to ask  

Choosing your moment can make a big difference. A good time to ask is after you’ve just completed a significant project or received positive feedback, or are due for a performance review. You may also want to ask for a raise if your role or responsibilities have changed significantly or if you’ve upskilled.

On the other hand, it’s best to delay if you’re in the middle of a big project or if the company is in financial difficulties or has received negative news (like a canceled contract). After all, you want to give yourself the best chance of success!

2. Decide how much of a raise you plan to ask for

You might already have a number in mind that you’d like to ask for — if so, feel free to jump down to our next tip. 

If not, do some salary research. This can help prepare you for any questions and follow-ups, as well as provide a strong argument for your raise request in your email. 

To research salaries and find out what you could ask for:

• Do your research: Use sites like Payscale, GlassDoor, and Indeed to see the range of salaries for your current role. Simply add in your job title or browse by industry. Check if there are any discrepancies between what you’re currently being paid and what others in similar positions are earning.
• Adjust for inflation: At the baseline of calculating your raise request, take into account inflation. Use an inflation calculator to find out how much your current salary is affected and adjust accordingly. Make sure you note how much of your final number has been adjusted based on inflation. 
• Consider the norm: Salary increases in the US average nearly 3% yearly. However, this will depend on your industry and position. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to request a 10-20% raise based on your current salary. This gives you room to negotiate and find a figure you’re both happy with. 

‍Note: You don’t need to include your salary raise request in the email. But doing salary research will help you feel confident and give you strong arguments for your raise request.

3. Determine why you deserve a raise

Draw up a list of projects you’ve worked on, things you’ve achieved, and feedback you’ve received.

For example, you may have created a content marketing strategy that boosted brand awareness or delivered a big project within budget and on time to a happy client. Or maybe you created a social media strategy, increased sales, improved workflow efficiency, or took on extra responsibilities during a time of growth. 

Add to your list any supporting information and documentation. This could be in the form of data, client feedback, or project outcomes.

Let’s look at a couple of examples:

‍Content marketing campaign:

‍You implemented a content strategy that boosted website traffic by 40%, with a significant uptick in organic search rankings. 

‍Developed a new app feature:

‍You designed and implemented a new feature for an app that saw an increase in user engagement by 12% and conversion rates by 8%. This rollout also meant the app gained an edge over competitors.

4. Draft your email 

Now that you’ve gathered all the information you need, it’s time to draft your email.Structure it like this:

• State your desire for a raise
• Note how long you’ve been at the company and in which role
• Outline why you deserve a raise
• Highlight your value to the company
• Express your commitment to the company and request a chance to discuss your raise
• Thank the recipient for their time and consideration

Let’s break down each section, with examples.

State your desire for a raise

You can do this in a single sentence, keeping the tone formal and polite while clearly stating your intentions. Here’s an example:

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to request a meeting to discuss my compensation.

Your role and time at the company including any major projects

Next, you’ll want to highlight how long you’ve worked for the company and in which role.  Include a quick overview of any major projects or initiatives you’ve been a part of. 

Over the past year as a Junior Developer at TechSolutions Inc., I have had the opportunity to contribute to various projects, including the successful launch of our flagship software product and the implementation of several critical features. During this time, I have consistently strived to exceed expectations and deliver results that align with TechSolutions' goals.

In this example, the employee highlights their commitment in going above and beyond for each project. This leads nicely to the next section. 

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Express your reasons for a salary increase request

Here, you want to say exactly why you’re asking for a raise. It could be that the market salary has changed because your role is in high demand, that your responsibilities have changed, or you’ve contributed significantly to the company’s success.

In reflecting on my contributions and considering market standards for junior developer roles in our area, I believe that an adjustment to my compensation would be appropriate. I have researched industry benchmarks and the current market rate for junior developers in our region, and I am confident that my performance warrants a review of my salary.

Here, the employee highlights that the market standards for their position have increased, particularly in their geographic location. They state that they’ve done their research and use this as the baseline for their request.

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Highlight your value to the company

After you’ve asked for a raise, complete your compelling argument by drawing out your key contributions, successes, and achievements, highlighting our value to the company. 

This is where your list from earlier will be helpful. Choose your top three successes and add them in. These could include specific client wins, project success stories, or increased responsibilities. Be sure to add any relevant data or feedback you’ve received. For example:

Among my key contributions, I

Played a key role in the development and deployment of our latest software update, resulting in a 20% increase in user engagement within the first month.

Collaborated with the team to optimize code efficiency, leading to a 15% decrease in application loading times.

Took the initiative to mentor new team members, contributing to a smoother onboarding process and fostering a stronger sense of camaraderie within the team.

Express your commitment to the company

Make sure to highlight that you’re open and flexible to discuss the terms of the raise. This is also a great time to note your commitment to the company and enthusiasm for the role, as we see here:

I remain committed to adding value to the team and TechSolutions as a whole, and am eager to discuss how we can align my compensation with my performance and contributions.

This works because it underlines the employee’s continued dedication to the company, while highlighting their own value. It also introduces the opportunity to discuss the terms of a salary raise.

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Closing out your email

To close out your email, request a meeting or opportunity to discuss your raise. Finally, make sure to thank the recipient for their time and reiterate your flexibility and enthusiasm to discuss your raise.

Could we schedule a meeting at a convenient time to discuss further? I am open to any questions or concerns you may have and am prepared to provide additional supporting information.ֿ

Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss it with you.

Template email asking for a raise

Download the full template here

What to do after you ask for a raise via email

Well done! You’ve taken the first step in asking for a raise — but what happens next? 

• Follow up or request a meeting: If you don’t receive a response in a reasonable timeframe (a few working days to a week), follow up politely to check that your email was received. It can be a good idea in the follow-up to suggest a time and date for a meeting — either in person or through a call.
• Anticipate questions: Prepare to address potential questions or objections by having additional information or examples to hand. This is when your list of achievements and salary research comes in handy.
• Be prepared to negotiate: Have an idea of the minimum raise you are aiming for. Initially adding a small percentage on top of what you would expect is a good way to have room for negotiation. 

Summary

Asking for a raise over email is straightforward using our handy template. Before drafting your email, make a list of your successes and conduct salary research to help you make your case. Then, draft the email step by step to highlight your achievements and express your commitment to the company. Finally, close out by requesting a chance to discuss the raise request and thanking the recipient for their time. 

FAQs

Should you ask for a raise over email?

Yes, it’s a good idea to start your request for a raise over email. This gives your employer time to respond, plus it’s evidence of your request. 

When is the right time to ask for a raise?

It’s best to ask for a raise when you’ve completed a significant project, received positive feedback, or during a performance review. It’s also a good idea to request a raise if you’ve been working at the company for 12 months or more, or if your role has changed to include more responsibilities.