The best time to ask for a raise is often when you’ve been consistently performing well, right after a big project win or a glowing performance review. Avoid asking if the company is struggling financially or if you haven’t proven your value yet.
In your email, be clear and concise, and make sure to highlight your achievements — we’ll thoroughly explain how to ask for a raise via email using Lindy’s email management assistant below.
Here’s what we’ll get into:
- When to ask for a raise
- When not to ask for a raise
- Questions to determine if you’re underpaid
- What’s the right amount to ask for?
- Preparations before drafting your email
- An AI email generator that can ask for a raise
- 3 copy-and-paste email templates
When should you ask for a raise via email?
Half the battle here is timing. Here are a few things to keep in mind to maximize your chances:
1. When they’re motivated to keep you around
This probably comes as no surprise, but business owners want to retain valuable employees, especially when the market indicates higher salaries for certain skill sets.
So, keep your finger on the pulse of industry trends and market rates to use this momentum in your favor. Time it right, and you’ll succeed.
2. After consistently doing an awesome job
Are you consistently rocking project milestones and performing at or even above what’s expected of you? That will certainly reinforce your value proposition when it comes time to ask for a raise.
Remind them of that award-winning project you led, the one with your name plastered all over it!
While conventional wisdom would be against show-offs, there’s ample research that disproves that claim. Intelligent self-promoters get ahead.
So, don’t be afraid to strike while the iron is hot, which is after a big milestone.
3. When the company needs to stop the bleeding
Sometimes, the going gets tough, and not because cash reserves are dwindling. There are many less apocalyptic occasions where high-value employees walk away or have to be let go.
This is a good moment to remind your employer that you can take on the extra workload or new responsibilities, which is worth a bump in your paycheck — especially if they’re eager to patch the leak or if a major project is on the horizon.
This is a time when employers will be particularly receptive.
4. Right after a performance review
Did you get straight A’s on your last performance reviews? Then, it might just be a good time to fire off that email.
Of course, this depends on the frequency of your company’s employee reviews, but common sense dictates that the middle and end of the year are the most appropriate times to make your case.
When you should NOT ask for a raise
Sometimes, the time just isn’t right, and you’ll have to wait for better times patiently.
These three factors will significantly disrupt (or outright destroy) your chances of receiving a positive response.
Let’s have a look:
- When the going gets tough. If the company faces financial difficulties or layoffs, it may not be the right time to request additional compensation.
- You’ve been there all of three weeks. Asking for a raise via email too soon after joining a company might not align with company norms or expectations. Wait at least six months to prove yourself before making that big ask. Of course, this is assuming you’re not getting an increased workload or more responsibilities, as we stated above.
- With zero justification. Asking for a raise without solid evidence of your contributions or achievements is a surefire way to weaken your case. And, if you’ve been underperforming consistently, forget about it. Remember: You’re only as good as your last performance, true in both sports and work.
Questions to help determine if you're underpaid for your role
Before you ask for a raise, it’s smart to figure out if you're really being short-changed.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What do industry salary benchmarks say? Are they paying you within the typical range for your position, or are you lagging?
- How do your responsibilities stack up to your title? If you're taking on more work than your job title suggests, and there’s been no salary adjustment, chances are you’re underpaid.
- What are your peers making? Have a discreet chat with colleagues or people in similar roles outside your company. If they’re making more for the same job, it’s a sign you need to speak up.
- How long has it been since your last raise? If it’s been over a year and you’ve been delivering results, it’s definitely time to reconsider your compensation.
- Has the cost of living or market shifted? If inflation is climbing or your industry is booming, your current salary might not reflect your true value anymore.
How much should you ask for?
Contemplating the exact figures to ask for a raise via email is enough to induce vertigo. If you ask us, it's only common sense to keep several key factors in mind.
First, begin by researching market rates for your role and level of expertise within your industry or geographic location.
This is when websites such as Glassdoor, Payscale, or OpenComp have super valuable insights into standard salary ranges and averages.
Keep in mind that these are not sacrosanct, though — and there’s always room for error — especially if you’re in a newer industry.
As for increases, aim for a percentage raise rather than a specific dollar amount — typically between 3% to 10%, with higher increases (15-20%) generally reserved for promotions or market adjustments. But remember that yes — this will be subject to market rates, your performance, workload, inflation, cost of living, and more.
All in all, it’s good to remember that the higher your market value and salary, the higher your net increase will be. Asking for an extra $1,000 is not the same if you make $1K per month rather than $10K per month.
It’s crucial to familiarize yourself with any in-house or structured grading systems established by your company, especially if they dictate salary ranges for various positions. These systems make it easier to justify a raise within the range but almost impossible to obtain a raise outside of the range unless you’re an A+ player in a tough market.
Preparations before you request a raise via email
Before you fire off your email, go through this checklist:
- Know what you’re worth to get what you’re worth. Gather information about your role, industry standards, and your contributions within the company. This is where you’ll highlight specific achievements, added responsibilities, or unique skills.
- Know company policies inside and out. Familiarize yourself with your company's policies on raises, performance evaluations, and any existing precedents regarding salary adjustments.
- Understand what your boss cares about. What do they value in an employee? Position your performance with that in mind. You don’t want your boss to say, “Oh, didn’t you read company memo 44B? You’re not due for a performance eval for three months anyway.”
- Prepare for pushback. Sometimes, you won’t get a straight yes or no for an answer. Reflect on potential concerns your employer might raise, such as budget constraints or performance issues.
This is when it helps to have well-articulated counterpoints ready. You can emphasize your contributions, market value, commitment to the company's success, and more.
- Gather tangible evidence of your impact. It's time to play the numbers game. Figures, percentages, or testimonials can help you show why you’re due that raise.
Now, it’s just a matter of presenting this in your email to provide a structured argument.
What if they still say no?
Your boss declining your request is a real possibility, and it may not even be because you’ve been underperforming.
The first thing to remember is: Don’t overreact or kick up a fuss! Taking this kind of situation personally is either a one-way ticket to Pink Slip City or a surefire way to lose face permanently.
For example, your boss may feel that they’re paying you enough for the job you do, or the company may have fallen on hard times. The business may also be in a transitional period, making new hires or restructuring due to new clients.
Sometimes, you just have to take the L and wait for a new shot. But, sometimes, you can also offer counter-proposals that still get you a less visible — but very real — increase in spending power.
For instance:
- Consider work-from-home if you commute to an office. This significantly reduces your overhead and increases the time you can spend with your family, taking up hobbies, or simply kicking up your feet.
Caveat: This may not be the best look if your raise was just rejected, so make sure you highlight your desire to stay fully committed to your job and the advantages we listed above, among others.
- Ask for a few more days off each year. More money? No. Quality-of-life improvement? Definitely.
- Work in an industry like sales? Performance-based improvements are highly motivating.
How to ask for a raise via email — with a little help from AI
There are several ways to go about asking for that raise. One is to go it alone using one of the templates we’ll provide below and try your luck.
The other? Asking Lindy to do it for you.
Lindy is our cutting-edge, no-code AI assistant, able to impeccably tackle an enormous variety of tasks and improve with each iteration. And it turns out that drafting raise-request emails is one of the many things that Lindy excels at.
To get Lindy’s help, just click here to sign up (it’s free). Or check out a similar example of Lindy’s AI negotiating a partnership deal over email.
Lindy’s AI Email Management agent can connect to your favorite email app and help organize, manage, and automate email tasks. For example, it can help you write an important email to ask for a raise.
Lindy’s AI agent will help you create an email that’s:
- Personalized: Lindy tailors each email to your specific context and needs. This includes understanding your role, accomplishments, and your workplace dynamics — including research about your job. The more you talk, the more it “gets” it.
- Professional: Lindy guarantees that the email maintains a professional — but human — tone throughout. It keeps things fresh, not sassy.
- Clear, concise: Lindy makes sure the email is fluff-free and to the point. Forget about those filler AI paragraphs that sound like a tenth-grader turning in an essay.
- Persuasiveness: Lindy highlights your accomplishments and their impact on the business. Compelling is the name of the game.
- Time-saving: Forget about those nerve-wracking minutes (hours?) writing that email and quaking in your boots, fussing over every line. Lindy’s got you.
- It keeps learning: Lindy learns from each interaction, improving its ability to help you ask for that raise — without raising the hairs on the back of your neck.
- Lindy will check back: A few days later, Lindy will ping you to ask how the conversation went. If things don’t go according to plan, it will help you strategize on the next steps.
How to ask for a raise via email using pre-made templates
Want to learn how to write an email asking for a raise? We’ve taken the liberty of cooking up three templates (courtesy of Lindy) to help you maximize your chances for success.
Try out our asking for a raise template:
1. Using market rates and retention in your favor
Subject: "Request for Salary Review: [Your name goes here]"
Dear [Boss’ name],
I hope you’re doing great!
During my time here, I’ve enjoyed contributing to [company name]'s growth and success. During this time, I've also observed the evolving market trends and realized that there's a growing demand for [specific skills or expertise] in our industry.
I've consistently strived to align my contributions with the company's objectives and have taken on added responsibilities in [mention specific areas].
After conducting comprehensive research on industry standards and considering the current market rates for professionals in a similar role, I believe it's the right time to discuss my compensation.
Given my responsibilities and the current upward shift in market trends, I propose a [specific % or amount] increase in my salary.
I'm committed to contributing further to our company’s success and am open to discussing this proposal further at your earliest convenience. Your guidance and insights on this proposal are highly valued!
As always, thank you for your time and consideration!
Warm regards and gratitude,
[Your name]
2. Performance-based raise
Subject line: "Salary review request: [Your name goes here]"
Dear [Boss’ name],
I trust you're doing well.
I wanted to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the support and opportunities I've had at [company name].
Over the past [time period], I've prided myself on achieving [specific accomplishments or milestones] and consistently aim to exceed any performance expectations.
I'm proud of my growth and the results I’ve achieved for the company, including [quantifiable outcomes].
Considering these achievements —and my continued commitment to driving excellence, I'd like to discuss a potential adjustment to my compensation.
Based on my performance and value-added contribution to the team, I would like to propose a [specific percentage or amount] increase in my salary.
I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter and am open to scheduling a meeting to discuss the matter in depth.
As always, thank you for your time and consideration!
Best regards,
[Your name]
3. The direct approach
Subject line: "Salary increase request: [your name]"
Dear [Boss’ name]
I hope you’re doing well!
I wanted to initiate a conversation about my compensation at [company name].
I've thoroughly enjoyed being part of this team and have been dedicated to my role, consistently reaching for the stars and thriving for excellence.
As you know, I've recently taken on additional responsibilities in [specific areas] and have consistently delivered results, including [mention specific achievements].
In light of these contributions and my commitment to the company's objectives, I believe this is the appropriate time to discuss a raise.
My proposal is a [specific percentage or amount] performance-based increase in my salary due to the added value I bring to the team.
I would enjoy the opportunity to discuss this matter further at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for making time for my request, and I’m looking forward to our conversation.
Best,
[Your name]
Summing up
As you can see, learning how to ask for a raise via email doesn’t have to be a thorough, aggressive process.
But it will require you to demonstrably share your contributions, as well as factor in a host of other micro and macro considerations before you hit “Send.”
It’s not just a matter of wanting but of carefully weighing your contributions, where the company stands, broader economics, and other items against each other.
But remember: If the process gets too overwhelming, there’s always help. Whether you choose to let Lindy take a load off your back (and thoroughly research your case) or use one of these templates, we’re sure you’ll make your case convincingly.
Also, remember, Lindy is not just limited to asking for a raise. You can also use it to schedule meetings or even be a digital personal assistant.
Try Lindy for free.
