Your workload has been expanding, as are your job responsibilities—and you’re wondering if your salary is keeping up. It’s a fair question. Even so, you may be hesitant to ask for a raise when your company, like many businesses, is navigating economic pressures and shifting priorities.
However, research for the 2026 Salary Guide From Robert Half suggests that it could be a good time to approach your employer about a pay increase. Retention of valued talent is a top concern for many employers and the competition for skilled talent remains strong. Many companies are also enhancing compensation, work flexibility, and perks and benefits to keep top talent on board.
And compensation is very much on workers’ minds: in a recent Robert Half survey, 46% of professionals said their 2024 bonus was smaller than expected or they didn’t receive one at all.
Still, you need to prepare thoroughly so you can have this conversation with your employer confidently and make a compelling case for getting the raise you seek. These seven strategies can help.
Tip #1. Benchmark your salary
Start with the facts. Use resources like Robert Half’s 2026 Salary Guide and Salary Calculator to check the latest salary ranges for your role and location. If you discover your pay is trending below the market level, that gives you objective leverage to request a pay increase.
Keep in mind that many companies are also willing to pay more for advanced skills. For example, Robert Half’s Salary Guide research shows employers typically offer higher salaries to finance and accounting professionals with financial reporting expertise, and to human resources (HR) professionals with compensation and benefits management skills.
If your employer is unable to offer a raise at this time due to budget constraints or other business reasons, be prepared to negotiate for perks such as flexible work schedules, additional paid time off (PTO), or expanded health and wellness offerings.
Discover the most valued employee perks and benefits for 2026.
Tip #2. Quantify your achievements
Translate your contributions into measurable impact so your manager can clearly see the value you’re delivering to the organization. Think about how your work has saved time, reduced costs or improved results—and be ready to share those outcomes in specific terms.
For instance, a marketing professional could point to the performance of a major digital campaign they spearheaded that lifted lead conversions by 110%. In the legal field, a paralegal might emphasize to their boss how they streamlined the contract review process, cutting turnaround time to just three days and saving the firm thousands in outside counsel fees.
Metrics like these can help build a stronger case for a raise than broad statements about working hard
Tip #3. Highlight expanded responsibilities
If you’ve taken on new duties since your last raise, underscore that fact. Employers know that when responsibilities grow, pay should follow, but they may not always connect the dots unless you spell it out.
For example, maybe you’ve become the go-to IT resource in your organization for identifying potential data security issues. Or perhaps, as an administrative professional, you’ve stepped up to coordinate projects across multiple departments, ensuring deadlines are met and communication stays on track.
Tip #4. Prepare your case—including in writing
Organize the facts you’ve gathered—salary benchmarks, measurable results and any new responsibilities you’ve absorbed—into a compelling story to share with your manager when you meet face to face to discuss compensation. Consider putting those details into a concise one-page summary as well.
A written document with your salary research and other supporting information can make it easier for your manager to champion your request if they need to get higher-level approval for a raise. For instance, a finance professional might create a summary that highlights how they improved forecasting accuracy at their firm, pairing that detail with relevant salary data from Robert Half’s latest Salary Guide.
Get more tips on how and when to negotiate salary with an employer.
Tip #5. Practice your delivery
Confidence counts when asking for a raise. Rehearse with a friend, mentor or trusted colleague, so you can get your tone, pacing and body language just right. Practicing for a salary discussion with your boss can help ensure you stay organized and focused when the real spotlight—and pressure—are on you.
Avoid hedging language like “I feel like I might deserve … ” and stick with straightforward statements instead. For instance, a technology professional seeking a pay increase might say, “Since taking on responsibility for system upgrades, I’ve helped reduce downtime by 15%. Based on current salary benchmarks, I’d like to discuss an adjustment in compensation.”
Tip #6. Have a fallback plan
As noted earlier, you should be ready to pivot in a salary discussion with your employer. If your manager can’t approve a raise now, don’t let the conversation end there. Ask what milestones would warrant an increase and agree on a timeline for review.
You can also explore other forms of compensation. For example, you might propose a one-time performance bonus, funding for professional development like certifications, or a shift to a hybrid schedule to enhance your work-life balance.
Tip #7. Position yourself for the future
Even if the answer to your request for a pay raise is “not yet,” you can use the experience to set the stage for next time. One of the best ways to do that is by committing to continuous learning, which includes keeping up with best practices and new technology trends.
Professionals who stay current with emerging technology like AI and automation tools can strengthen their long-term value to the business and boost their earning potential. For example, a customer service professional who proactively develops expertise in AI-enabled call center technology to improve efficiency and performance is demonstrating the kind of initiative employers reward.
Volunteer for projects that stretch your abilities, take ownership of cross-functional initiatives that help raise your visibility, and share your career goals with your manager so they understand how you want to continue to grow with the organization and help it succeed.
Salary research pays
Asking your employer for a raise can be daunting, especially in uncertain times, but it’s an important way to advocate for yourself and your career. The key to success is to focus on facts, not feelings. When you come prepared with salary benchmarks, measurable achievements and clear evidence of how you’re growing your skills, you can demonstrate the value you bring today—and your potential for tomorrow.
The 2026 Salary Guide From Robert Half is a useful starting point for your research on compensation. Use it to see how your current salary stacks up, understand what skills employers are prepared to pay premiums for, and gather other insights about compensation trends in your profession that can help you confidently make your case for a pay raise.
