How to Ask for a Raise in an Email or Letter

Asking your boss for a raise can be daunting. But if you recently knocked it out of the park on a major project, took on more responsibilities or received a stellar performance review, you owe it to yourself to bring up the topic of a pay increase with your boss.

According to the 2026 Salary Guide From Robert Half, employers in nearly every industry are continuing to adjust compensation to attract and retain top talent—and many are prepared to offer financial incentives to retain skilled talent. Putting your request in writing can help you make a strong, professional case for the raise you deserve.

Knowing how to ask for a raise in writing, be it in a letter or an email, can help get this important conversation started with your employer and potentially increase your chances of getting a bump in pay. Here is a look at why creating a written request for a raise can be a positive step, plus examples and a template to help you communicate with confidence.

How to Ask for a Raise in Writing (Email or Letter)

Do’s and don’ts when asking for a raise in writing
How to professionally ask for a raise through email
How to ask for a raise includes conducting salary research
What to include in a salary increase request email (template example)
How to follow up after you’ve sent a raise request email
Frequently asked questions

Do’s and don’ts when asking for a raise in writing

Do:

Support your request with performance results and data.

Keep the tone confident and positive.

End with a polite ask for a meeting.

Don’t:

Compare your salary to coworkers’.

Apologize or justify based on personal expenses.

Overexplain—short, focused emails perform best.

How to professionally ask for a raise through email

The best raise request emails are clear, concise and focused on your value. Aim for two to three short paragraphs that highlight your contributions, market data and a polite request for follow-up. Whenever possible, quantify your impact to make your case stronger (e.g., cost savings, revenue influenced, cycle time reduced).

Before you start typing, outline your key points. A strong raise request email or letter typically includes:

A clear introduction stating your position and tenure

Evidence of results, like projects completed or goals exceeded (ideally with metrics)

Market salary data from trusted sources like the 2026 Salary Guide From Robert Half

A specific request or percentage increase (if comfortable sharing)

A meeting ask, inviting discussion

For additional tips on how to ask for a raise, check out this post.

How to ask for a raise includes conducting salary research

Not every raise keeps pace with expectations—in a Robert Half survey, 21% of employees said they received less than expected and 16% received no raise in 2024. If that’s you, grounding your request in market data is essential. Your ask won’t gain traction if it’s not aligned with current pay standards, so research what professionals in your role and experience level earn in your local market.

Consulting the 2026 Salary Guide From Robert Half can help. It breaks down starting pay ranges for hundreds of positions across several professional fields, including finance and accounting, technology, and marketing and creative. We also provide a Salary Calculator to help you gauge starting salaries in your local market.

Using reputable resources like the Salary Guide From Robert Half to research compensation trends will help you arrive at an appropriate figure that you can back up with hard data. To learn where our salary data comes from, see this post.

Access the Salary Guide

What to include in a letter or email asking for a raise (template example)

Reviewing sample templates, like the one below, can help you find the right model for your email or letter asking for a raise. (You will, of course, want to personalize all relevant sections, keeping in mind the tips discussed in this post.)

Dear (Name),

As my X-year anniversary draws near, I would like to request a review of my (job title) salary. During my time at (name of company), I have taken on additional responsibilities and achieved success in several areas. My accomplishments and responsibilities include:

Taking the lead on …

Meeting goals in …

Improving efficiencies that led to a savings of $X for the company ...

Achieving success in …

Adding to my (skill level or education as it relates to the job) …

Aside from my X skills in this role, I have also demonstrated excellent X abilities and proficiency with X. The team can count on me for X.

Given the added value I have brought the company, I think it is appropriate to request an increase in pay. Based on data in the latest Robert Half Salary Guide, the midpoint salary (or median national salary) for my position is $X for a professional at my experience level. Considering regional variances, a raise of X% would put my compensation closer to current salary benchmarks.

Thank you for your consideration. I would be happy to meet with you to discuss my request and the company’s needs. Please let me know if you are available for a short meeting.

Sincerely,

Name and Title

How to follow up after you’ve sent a raise request email

After sending your request, be patient. It can take time for a pay increase to be discussed, approved and implemented. If you haven’t heard back after a week or two, it’s perfectly appropriate to send a polite follow-up. Keep it short and friendly:

“Hi [Name], I wanted to follow up on my earlier note regarding my salary review request. I’d love to find time to discuss this further when convenient.”

You may also be asked to consider other options, such as a pay raise that is less than you asked for, alternative financial rewards like a performance bonus, or offerings such as more paid time off or a more flexible work arrangement. If that happens, then you will need to decide what is best for you.

If your manager can’t approve a raise immediately, ask when you can revisit the topic or what steps would strengthen your case next time. If you are not satisfied with the answers you receive, and your boss does not articulate what else you must do to earn a raise, then a new job search might be your next move.

For more negotiation scenarios, including new-offer tactics, read up on how to negotiate salary during your job search.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Why ask for a raise in writing?

A: When it comes to pay discussions, not everyone feels comfortable speaking up in person, and that’s okay. When asked about challenges negotiating pay, professionals most often cited discomfort discussing money and not knowing how much to ask for. A well-crafted email or letter gives you time to plan your message, organize your thoughts and present your request in a clear, professional way.

It also helps prompt a formal review process. Managers often need to consult with human resources or higher-ups before approving raises. A written request provides them with the exact details they need to advocate on your behalf.

Q: How should I word my request for a raise through email?

A: If your raise request will be the first time your boss learns you would like more compensation, you might consider including wording like this in your email or letter: Could we meet briefly to review and discuss my current salary or devote a few minutes to that topic during our next one-on-one?

Or, if you have a performance review coming up, you might say: Could we please discuss compensation during my performance review?

Q: How long should a raise request email be?

A: We recommend two to three short paragraphs, ideally 200–300 words.

Q: When should I ask for a raise in writing?

A: Timing can play a huge role in how your request for a raise is received. Use your best judgement—if your organization has had recent layoffs or a hiring freeze, it may not be the best time to appeal for higher pay. Here are a few good times to consider sending your raise request email or letter:

After a major project success or performance review

When new budget cycles begin (start of the fiscal year)

When salary ranges in your field rise

Avoid late Friday or holiday weeks