How should I request a salary increase?

Wanting a clear written case for a raise is a practical step. A strong request does not demand more pay in the abstract. It documents the value you already deliver and makes it easier for a manager to justify an adjustment within budget and policy.

Open with your role, how long you have been in it, and the purpose of the note: a request for a compensation review based on recent results. Then describe your contributions in concrete terms. Name projects you led or finished, problems you solved, processes you improved, revenue protected or costs reduced, and any added responsibilities beyond your original job description. Use measurable outcomes where you can—deadlines met, volume handled, quality metrics, customer feedback, or team impact—and give a time window such as the past six to twelve months so the pattern is obvious. Link each point to business goals rather than personal need alone.

Support the ask with market context, not vague claims. Public wage estimates by occupation and location, plus internal pay ranges where your employer shares them, help show whether your pay sits below a reasonable band for similar work. Recent U.S. wage data and employer planning surveys have shown typical annual merit increases often in the low single digits, so framing your request as a data-backed adjustment rather than an outsized jump usually reads as more credible. State a specific target range or percentage and explain how you arrived at it. Close by inviting a conversation, asking about next steps and timing, and offering to discuss priorities for the coming period. Keep the tone collaborative, proofread carefully, and send it through the channel your company expects—email, form, or manager packet—so it fits existing review cycles.