Asking for a pay raise requires careful planning and the right words. Everyone feels nervous before talking about money with their boss. This anxiety often stops people from asking for what they truly deserve.
You work hard and add value to your company. You deserve fair pay for your contributions. The letters below will help you ask for a salary increase with confidence and professionalism.
Sample Letters of Request for Salary Increase
These sample letters will guide you through creating your own salary increase request.
Entry-Level Employee After One Year
Subject: Request for Salary Review Based on First-Year Performance
Dear Mr. Reynolds,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to request a review of my current salary after completing my first year as a Customer Service Representative at ABC Company.
During this year, I have consistently exceeded my call quality targets by 15% and resolved 92% of customer issues on the first contact, above the department average of 85%. I have also taken on additional responsibilities including training two new team members and creating a quick reference guide that has helped reduce call times across our department.
The current market rate for my position with similar experience is $45,000-$50,000 annually, based on data from PayScale and Glassdoor. My current salary of $40,000 falls below this range despite my strong performance and additional contributions.
I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss a salary adjustment that better reflects my performance and the value I bring to ABC Company. I am available to meet at your convenience to discuss this matter further.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, Jane Smith
Mid-Level Professional with New Certification
Subject: Salary Adjustment Request Following Professional Certification
Dear Ms. Garcia,
I trust you are doing well. Thank you for your continued leadership of our marketing team.
I am writing to request a salary adjustment in light of my recently completed Digital Marketing Specialist certification and the expanded responsibilities I have taken on in the past six months.
As you know, I completed this advanced certification last month, which required 120 hours of study and practical application. The skills I gained have already benefited our team, as shown by the 23% increase in conversion rates on our latest campaign that used the new targeting strategies I implemented.
Beyond my regular duties, I have also: • Led the website redesign project, saving the company $15,000 in external consultant fees • Developed our social media content calendar system now used by all team members • Mentored two junior team members who have both exceeded their quarterly goals
Based on industry standards for marketing professionals with my certification and five years of experience, the salary range is typically $65,000-$75,000. My current salary of $58,000 is now considerably below market value for someone with my qualifications.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss an adjustment to bring my compensation in line with my expanded skills and contributions. I am happy to provide any additional information you might need.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully, Michael Johnson
Senior Employee with Expanded Responsibilities
Subject: Salary Review Request Based on Role Expansion
Dear Dr. Williams,
I hope you are having a productive week. I am writing to request a review of my salary in light of the substantial changes to my role over the past year.
When I started as Senior Research Analyst three years ago, my primary responsibilities included data analysis for two product lines and monthly reporting. My role has grown significantly since then to include:
• Managing our entire research database and all reporting systems • Leading a team of four junior analysts • Developing the methodology for our new product testing protocols • Representing our department in cross-functional planning meetings • Creating and delivering quarterly presentations to the executive team
These additional responsibilities have increased my workload by approximately 40% and have required me to develop new leadership and presentation skills. Under my guidance, our team has reduced report delivery time by 35% while improving accuracy rates to 99.8%.
The industry standard salary for someone in a position with my current level of responsibility ranges from $92,000 to $105,000 annually. My current salary of $82,500 no longer reflects the scope of my position or my contributions to the company.
I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss an appropriate salary adjustment during our upcoming performance review. I am committed to continuing to grow with the company and to delivering excellent results.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards, Sarah Thompson, Ph.D.
High-Performer After Successful Project
Subject: Salary Adjustment Request Following Project Success
Dear Mr. Patel,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to request a review of my current compensation following the successful completion of the Davidson client project.
As the lead developer on this project, I was responsible for: • Designing the entire system architecture that reduced loading times by 60% • Managing a team of five developers to meet all deadlines • Personally coding the payment processing system that saved the client $50,000 annually • Resolving critical security issues that previous vendors had missed
The Davidson project was completed two weeks ahead of schedule and $30,000 under budget. The client has already signed on for three additional projects this year specifically requesting that I lead the development team. This represents $450,000 in new business for our company.
Based on industry standards for senior developers with project management responsibilities, the current market range is $110,000-$130,000. My current salary of $95,000 is below this range despite my proven track record of delivering high-value projects.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss an adjustment to my compensation that reflects my contributions to the company’s success and the additional revenue I have helped generate. I remain committed to maintaining the high standards that have made our company a leader in the industry.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, David Chen
Employee After Completing Advanced Degree
Subject: Salary Review Request Following MBA Completion
Dear Ms. Jefferson,
I hope you are doing well. I am writing to request a review of my salary following the completion of my Master of Business Administration degree last month.
As you know, I have been working full-time as a Financial Analyst while pursuing this degree over the past two years. The knowledge and skills I have gained are already benefiting our department through:
• The new financial forecasting model I developed that improved accuracy by 28% • Cost-saving measures I identified that reduced department expenses by $35,000 annually • Process improvements that cut report generation time from three days to one day
Throughout this period, I maintained my regular workload and met all deadlines while achieving a 3.9 GPA in my graduate program. The advanced financial modeling and leadership skills I gained directly apply to my current role and allow me to make greater contributions to our team.
According to recent industry salary surveys, financial analysts with MBA degrees and my level of experience typically earn between $78,000 and $88,000. My current salary of $65,000 is now substantially below market value for someone with my qualifications.
I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss a salary adjustment that reflects my enhanced qualifications and continued commitment to XYZ Financial. I am excited about applying my new knowledge to help our department reach its goals for the coming year.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best regards, Robert Jackson
Employee in Growing Industry
Subject: Request for Salary Adjustment Based on Market Trends
Dear Ms. Lopez,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to request a review of my current compensation package in light of significant shifts in our industry.
As a Cybersecurity Specialist with five years of experience and three professional certifications, I have consistently delivered results for our company, including:
• Preventing three potential data breaches in the past year • Implementing new security protocols that reduced vulnerability by 40% • Training 45 staff members on security best practices • Receiving a 98% satisfaction rating from internal departments
Recent industry reports from CyberSecurity Ventures and Robert Half Technology indicate that salaries for professionals with my qualifications have increased by 15-20% over the past 18 months due to growing demand and a skills shortage. Current market rates for my position range from $95,000 to $115,000 annually.
My current salary of $85,000, while competitive when I was hired three years ago, now falls significantly below market value. As someone who has consistently demonstrated commitment to our company’s security posture and professional growth in my field, I believe an adjustment would be appropriate.
I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this matter with you at your convenience. I remain dedicated to ensuring our company stays ahead of emerging threats and maintaining our excellent security record.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, Maria Rodriguez
Long-Term Employee Without Recent Raises
Subject: Request for Salary Review After Period of Stability
Dear Mr. Thompson,
I hope you are having a good week. I am writing to request a review of my salary, which has remained unchanged for the past three years.
During my seven years as Office Manager at ABC Corporation, I have taken on numerous additional responsibilities while maintaining excellent performance in my core duties. Some key contributions include:
• Implementing a new filing system that reduced document retrieval time by 75% • Managing the office relocation project that came in $10,000 under budget • Creating an onboarding process that improved new hire satisfaction by 45% • Supervising three administrative assistants while maintaining my own workload
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and industry surveys, the average salary for Office Managers with my level of responsibility has increased by approximately 12% since my last adjustment. Current market rates for my position range from $62,000 to $72,000 annually.
My current salary of $55,000 has not kept pace with inflation or the expansion of my role. As someone who has demonstrated consistent loyalty and commitment to our company’s success, I believe a salary adjustment would be appropriate.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter with you at your convenience. I remain dedicated to supporting our team and contributing to our company’s continued growth.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, Patricia Wilson
Employee After Cost-Saving Initiative
Subject: Salary Review Request Following Cost Reduction Project
Dear Mr. Davis,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to request a review of my current compensation following the successful implementation of the supply chain optimization project.
As the project lead, I: • Analyzed our entire procurement process and identified inefficiencies • Negotiated new terms with vendors resulting in 18% cost reduction • Implemented inventory management software that reduced holding costs by $120,000 annually • Trained staff across three departments on the new procedures
This initiative has resulted in verified annual savings of $345,000, which exceeds our original target by 15%. The new system has also reduced order processing time by 40%, allowing our team to handle increasing sales volume without additional staff.
Based on industry standards for supply chain managers who have demonstrated similar cost-saving results, the market range for my position is $85,000-$95,000. My current salary of $72,000 does not reflect the value I have added to the company or my proven ability to drive significant financial improvements.
I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss an adjustment to my compensation that acknowledges these contributions. I am committed to continuing to find ways to optimize our operations and improve our bottom line.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, Thomas Brown
Remote Worker with Market Discrepancy
Subject: Request for Salary Adjustment for Remote Position
Dear Ms. Clark,
I hope you are doing well. I am writing to request a review of my current compensation as a Senior Content Strategist working remotely for Acme Digital.
When I joined the company two years ago, remote work policies were still developing across the industry. Since then, the market for remote talent has matured significantly. Recent data from FlexJobs and Remote.co shows that companies are now paying location-independent rates for specialized roles like mine rather than basing salaries on employee location.
During my time with Acme Digital, I have: • Increased blog traffic by 135% through strategic content planning • Reduced content production costs by 22% while improving quality metrics • Developed our content style guide now used across all departments • Trained and mentored three junior writers who have all exceeded their KPIs
Current market data indicates that Senior Content Strategists with my experience level and skill set now command salaries between $85,000 and $95,000 regardless of location. My current salary of $70,000 represents a significant gap from market value for the quality and impact of my work.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss an adjustment that brings my compensation in line with current market standards for remote professionals. I value my role at Acme Digital and look forward to continuing to contribute to our content success.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, Emma White
Employee After Excellent Performance Review
Subject: Salary Adjustment Request Following Outstanding Performance Evaluation
Dear Mr. Goldstein,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to follow up on my recent performance review and request consideration for a salary adjustment.
As highlighted in my evaluation, I exceeded all performance metrics for the past year, including: • Achieving 127% of my sales target, the highest in the department • Bringing in 12 new key accounts representing $1.2 million in annual revenue • Maintaining a customer retention rate of 96%, above the company average of 85% • Mentoring two new sales representatives who are now meeting their targets
I was honored to receive an “outstanding” rating and appreciate your recognition of my contributions to the team. As you mentioned during our discussion, my performance places me among the top performers not just in our office but company-wide.
Based on industry benchmarks for top-performing sales representatives in our sector, the compensation range for professionals achieving similar results is typically $85,000-$95,000 base salary. My current base salary of $72,000 falls below this standard despite my proven track record.
I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss a salary adjustment that better aligns with my performance level and contributions to the company’s revenue growth. I remain committed to maintaining these high standards and helping our team reach new heights.
Thank you for your consideration and continued support.
Sincerely, Jonathan Roberts
Professional Returning from Parental Leave
Subject: Salary Review Request Upon Return from Parental Leave
Dear Ms. Washington,
I hope you are doing well. As I prepare to return from parental leave next month, I would like to request a review of my current compensation package.
Prior to my leave, I completed the database migration project that: • Reduced system downtime by 60% • Improved query response time by 45% • Enabled seamless integration with our new CRM system • Provided capacity for projected growth over the next five years
During my leave, I maintained my professional development by completing two advanced certification courses in database management and data security. These additional qualifications will allow me to implement enhanced security protocols upon my return.
Based on current industry standards for Database Administrators with my level of experience and certification, the market salary range is $92,000-$105,000. My current salary of $85,000 is now below market value for someone with my qualifications.
I am excited to return to my role and apply both my previous experience and new skills to support our growing data needs. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss a salary adjustment that reflects my continued professional development and commitment to the company.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, Rachel Greene
Employee After Relocation to Higher Cost Area
Subject: Salary Adjustment Request Following Office Relocation
Dear Mr. Martinez,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing regarding my salary following our company’s relocation from Atlanta to Boston last month.
As requested, I moved with the company to maintain continuity in our accounting department. This relocation has significantly impacted my living expenses. According to the Cost of Living Index published by NerdWallet and the Economic Research Institute, the cost of living in Boston is approximately 48% higher than in Atlanta, with housing costs specifically being 76% higher.
My current salary of $68,000, while appropriate for the Atlanta market, does not provide equivalent purchasing power in Boston. Based on the cost of living difference, an adjusted salary of approximately $100,000 would maintain my standard of living.
Throughout this transition, I have: • Maintained all monthly closing procedures without disruption • Trained two new team members hired in Boston • Redesigned our expense reporting system to improve efficiency • Taken on additional accounts payable responsibilities due to staffing changes
I appreciate the opportunity to continue growing with the company and understand the significant investment made in the relocation. I would welcome the chance to discuss a salary adjustment that accounts for the higher cost of living in our new location while reflecting my continued contributions and commitment to the team.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, Daniel Kim
Employee in Fast-Growing Startup
Subject: Compensation Review Request During Growth Phase
Dear Ms. Patel,
I hope this message finds you well during this exciting time for our company. With our recent Series B funding and rapid team expansion, I would like to request a review of my current compensation package.
As one of the first ten employees and the lead UX designer for our platform, I have: • Created the entire user interface that has received praise in three major tech publications • Built and managed our design system now used by all product teams • Reduced user onboarding abandonment by 45% through interface improvements • Mentored three junior designers now handling key product areas
When I joined two years ago at a salary of $75,000, we were pre-funding and pre-revenue. The company has since grown to 50 employees and achieved a valuation of $40 million. Recent market data shows that UX leads at comparable funded startups now earn between $110,000 and $130,000 base salary.
My current salary no longer reflects either market rates for my position or my expanded responsibilities as we have grown. As someone who has been part of building our success from the beginning, I believe an adjustment would be appropriate as we enter this new growth phase.
I remain deeply committed to our vision and excited about our journey ahead. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this matter at your convenience.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, Aisha Johnson
Employee After Competing Job Offer
Subject: Request for Compensation Review Based on Market Opportunity
Dear Mr. Anderson,
I hope you are having a productive week. I am writing to request a review of my current compensation package.
I have recently been approached by another company with an offer for a similar role to my current position as Marketing Manager. While I have greatly valued my five years with ABC Company and prefer to continue my career here, the offered compensation package is substantially higher than my current one.
During my time here, I have: • Led campaigns that increased our customer base by 35% • Reduced our customer acquisition cost by 28% • Built our social media presence from zero to over 100,000 followers • Managed a team that has won three industry awards for creative excellence
The offer I received includes a base salary of $98,000, which is significantly higher than my current salary of $78,000. Based on this and other market research, I believe my current compensation is below market value for someone with my experience and track record.
My preference would be to remain with ABC Company, where I have built strong relationships and contributed to our growth. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss an adjustment to my compensation that better reflects my value to the organization and is competitive with current market rates.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to continuing our conversation about my future with the company.
Sincerely, Kevin Walker
Part-Time Employee Moving to Full-Time
Subject: Salary Adjustment Request for Transition to Full-Time Role
Dear Ms. Turner,
I hope this letter finds you well. As we discussed last week, I am excited about the opportunity to transition from my current part-time role to a full-time position as Administrative Coordinator starting next month.
Over the past two years as a part-time Administrative Assistant, I have: • Streamlined the appointment scheduling system, reducing booking errors by 35% • Created templates for routine correspondence that saved staff 5 hours weekly • Reorganized the filing system for faster document retrieval • Received consistently positive feedback from both staff and clients
My current part-time rate is $18 per hour for 20 hours weekly. A direct conversion to full-time hours would equal $37,440 annually. However, the expanded responsibilities of the Coordinator role, including supervising the front desk staff and managing office supplies and vendor relationships, warrant compensation beyond a simple hour conversion.
Based on market research from PayScale and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the typical salary range for an Administrative Coordinator with my experience level is $42,000-$48,000 annually.
I am excited about taking on this expanded role and continuing to contribute to our office efficiency. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss a salary that reflects both the full-time hours and increased responsibilities of the position.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, Amanda Lewis
Wrap-up: Request Letters for Pay Increases
Writing an effective salary increase letter takes careful thought and preparation. Focus on your specific achievements, the value you bring to the company, and market data that supports your request. Stay professional and positive throughout your letter.
The most successful requests highlight how your contributions have helped the company meet its goals. With clear communication and solid evidence of your worth, you can approach your salary negotiation with confidence.
Remember that timing matters too. Consider your company’s financial cycle and your recent accomplishments when deciding when to submit your request. With the right approach, you can effectively advocate for the salary you deserve.