How to ask for a pay rise, with the numbers to back you up

The short answer: research what your role pays, list what you have achieved, pick your timing, ask for a meeting, and name a specific figure backed by evidence. Know what the rise is worth after tax: on £35,000, a 5% rise of £1,750 adds about £105 a month to your take-home.

Step 1: find your market rate

• Job adverts for similar roles in your area. Note the salary range on 10 or more.
• Recruiter salary guides, published free each year by the big agencies.
• ONS earnings data by occupation and region.
• Pay scales if you work in the public sector, such as NHS bands or teacher pay scales.
• Colleagues and contacts: you have a legal right to talk about your pay with colleagues, whatever your contract says, if the aim is to check for pay discrimination.

Step 2: build your case

Pay rises are given for value, not need. Write down:

• targets you hit or beat, with numbers where you can (sales, savings, projects delivered, complaints down)
• new responsibilities since your pay was last set, such as managing people or covering for a vacant role
• new skills or qualifications
• positive feedback from clients, managers or colleagues

Rising living costs are worth mentioning, but on their own they rarely win a rise. Lead with what you bring.

Step 3: decide how much to ask for

Pick a figure near the top of what your evidence supports, so there is room to meet in the middle. Here is what different rises are worth on £35,000:

If the rise crosses a tax line, such as £50,270 or £100,000, you keep less. See pay rise thresholds that cost you money.

Step 4: pick your moment

• Good times: a few weeks before budgets are set or reviews happen, after a big win, when you take on a new role, or when the business is doing well.
• Bad times: during redundancies or cost cutting, the day after a mistake, or when your manager is under pressure.

Step 5: have the conversation

1. Email your manager to ask for a meeting about your pay and role. Saying why gives them time to prepare.
2. Open by saying you enjoy the role and want to keep growing in it.
3. Set out your achievements and the market evidence briefly.
4. Name your figure: "Based on this, I'm asking for a salary of £X."
5. Then stop talking and listen. Silence is fine.
6. If they cannot decide on the spot, agree a date for an answer.

Example email asking for a meeting

If they say no, or not now

• Ask what specifically you would need to do to get a rise, and when it can be reviewed. Ask for it in writing.
• Consider other things that are easier to give: more holiday, a higher employer pension contribution, training, a title change or flexible working. A pension contribution can be worth more than the same amount in pay. See pay rise or more pension.
• If you are clearly below the market rate and nothing changes, a new job is often the quickest route to higher pay.

If you have a job offer elsewhere

An outside offer is strong evidence, but only use it if you would genuinely take it. Some employers will match; others will let you go. Compare the whole package, not just salary. Our job offer comparison calculator helps.

Pay rises and equal pay

Men and women doing equal work have a legal right to equal pay. If you think you are paid less than a colleague of a different sex for equal work, you can ask your employer for information and raise a grievance. Acas can help for free.

Worked example: closing a market gap

You earn £35,000. Adverts for the same role in your area show a typical salary of £39,000. The gap is £4,000, about 11%. Asking for £39,000 is backed by evidence; settling at around £37,400 might be a fair middle. After tax, closing the full gap is worth about £240 a month.

Promotion, regrading or pay rise?

• Pay rise: more money for the same role. Easiest to get when you are below the market rate.
• Regrading: if your duties have grown beyond your job description, ask for the role to be re-evaluated. This is common in the public sector and large firms.
• Promotion: a new role with more responsibility. Usually the biggest jump.

Pay rises in the public sector

If you are on a national pay scale, such as the NHS, schools or civil service, your basic pay follows the scale. You can still ask to start on a higher point when you join, to move up early for exceptional performance, or for your role to be regraded. Check your own scale in our public sector pay guides.

What not to say

• "I need more money because my rent went up." Talk about your value instead.
• "Sarah earns more than me." Use market data, not office gossip.
• Ultimatums you will not follow through on.
• Apologising for asking. It is a normal business conversation.

This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Figures use 2026/27 rates.