When you ask for a higher salary, you need a clear plan and solid evidence. Do the market research, assemble measurable wins, choose the right moment, and decide what trade-offs you’ll accept. Stay professional, listen to constraints, and be ready to counter with data. Follow a concise pitch and you’ll change the conversation. Here’s what to do next.
Know Your Market Value
Researching your market value gives you the facts to back a pay request: check salary sites (Glassdoor, PayScale, Levels.fyi), review similar job postings, and ask recruiters or peers in your field.
You should consider role title, experience level, location, company size, and industry—each shifts typical pay ranges.
Factor in specialized skills, certifications, and demand for your expertise, since scarce skills raise leverage.
Compare total compensation components like base, bonuses, equity, and benefits to understand offer structure.
Note internal equity and your company’s pay philosophy; that shapes flexibility.
Use this context to set realistic expectations and identify where you stand relative to peers.
Knowing market norms helps you target a salary that’s competitive and justifiable.
Don’t ignore regional cost of living differences when comparing offers.
Prepare Evidence and Numbers
Preparation pays: gather concrete, quantifiable evidence that proves your impact—revenue you generated, cost savings, projects shipped, performance ratings, and any relevant certifications or awards.
Itemize outcomes with numbers and timeframes: percent growth, dollars saved, deadlines met, customer retention rates, and productivity gains. Convert qualitative wins into measurable metrics (e.g., reduced onboarding time from X to Y).
Collect supporting artifacts: reports, dashboards, emails, client testimonials, and performance reviews. Compare your metrics to team averages or industry benchmarks to show relative contribution.
Summarize key points on one page and a detailed appendix you can share. Be ready to explain how you calculated figures and acknowledge assumptions. Clear, verifiable evidence makes your request credible and hard to dismiss. It clearly signals professionalism and strengthens your negotiating position.
Practice Your Pitch and Timing
Rehearsing your pitch aloud helps you speak confidently and keep it tight. Practice until your core points — recent accomplishments, impact metrics, and your requested salary — come out naturally without sounding scripted.
Time your delivery: aim for a clear, calm two- to three-minute summary, with room for questions.
Use a mirror or record yourself to check tone, pace, and body language; adjust any filler words and clipped sentences.
Run through responses to likely objections so you can stay composed if the conversation shifts. If possible, role-play with a trusted colleague and get blunt feedback on clarity and credibility.
On the day, pick a moment when your manager isn’t rushed, open with your short pitch, and pause to let the discussion unfold and follow up promptly afterward.
Negotiate Total Compensation
After you practice your pitch and timing, shift the conversation from base salary to total compensation: base pay, bonuses, equity, benefits, and perks all matter.
When you discuss package, name priorities and ask for specifics — target bonus percentage, equity type and vesting schedule, signing bonus, and salary review timing. Quantify flexible work, paid time off, parental leave, health coverage tiers, and professional development budgets.
You can trade elements: more equity for lower base, or extra PTO for limited bonus. Request written details and timeline so nothing’s vague.
If tax implications or relocation support matter, include them. Frame requests around the value you’ll deliver, and focus on the mix that meets your financial needs and career goals. Be prepared to explain trade-offs clearly ahead.
Handle Counteroffers and Next Steps
When you receive a counteroffer, pause and evaluate it against your priorities—base pay, equity, bonus targets, benefits, growth opportunities, and timing.
Compare numbers to market data and your minimum acceptable package. Ask for written details and clarify vesting schedules, bonus metrics, and any role changes.
Consider long-term fit: will the counteroffer solve underlying issues like career trajectory or culture? If not, don’t hesitate to move on professionally.
Communicate your decision courteously; thank the employer, explain your reasoning succinctly, and confirm next steps. If you accept, get terms in writing and set milestones for future reviews. If you decline, preserve relationships—leave on good terms and keep contacts for future opportunities.
Revisit your compensation strategy regularly and update goals as your career evolves over time.
Conclusion
You’ve done the research, gathered measurable wins, and practiced a concise pitch—now be confident and time the conversation well. Focus on total compensation, offer trade‑offs like PTO or equity if base pay’s constrained, and listen to the employer’s limits. Use data to respond to counteroffers and stay professional throughout. If you reach an agreement, get it in writing promptly so your higher pay is secured and expectations stay clear. Don’t forget to follow up soon.