How to Ask for a Pay Rise (Without Feeling Awkward or Unprepared)

If the thought of asking your boss for a pay rise makes your stomach turn, you’re not alone. Talking about money isn’t easy – even though most of us go to work because of it.

In fact, research shows 66% of Australians say salary is the biggest reason they work – yet 75% have never asked for a pay rise.

So why the disconnect?

Some of us worry we’ll seem ungrateful or greedy. Others second-guess whether we’re even “worth” more. But if you don’t ask, you’re probably not going to get – and that could be holding your career and your earnings back.

The good news? You can have a calm, confident, and professional chat about your salary – you just need the right preparation.

Here’s how to do it...

1. Know your value

Before you book a meeting with your manager, take a good look at your role, your performance, and what the market’s paying. What are people in similar roles earning? Have your responsibilities changed? Have you taken on more than what you were originally hired to do?

There are plenty of tools to help – salary guides, job boards, and even a chat with a recruiter (we're always happy to help).

Knowing what’s fair for your level and experience takes the emotion out of the conversation – and helps turn a subjective topic into a facts-based one.

Tip: Try thinking of yourself as your own agent. If you were negotiating for a friend who had your skills, experience and work ethic, what would you be asking for?

2. Make your case

It’s not just about what you do – it’s about the impact you’ve had. Did you lead a successful project? Save the business time or money? Improve client outcomes? Boost team morale?

Make a short list of tangible achievements over the past year – and if you’ve got numbers to back them up, even better. If not, focus on outcomes and feedback you’ve received.

Tip: Practice saying it out loud with a friend or in the mirror. You’ll feel more comfortable and avoid rambling when the real conversation happens.

3. Time it right

Timing matters. Mid-crisis or in the middle of a company restructure? Probably not the best moment. But right after a win, a successful project, or your annual performance review? That’s a much stronger position.

Give your manager a heads-up. Ask for a dedicated time to chat about your role and salary – don’t spring it on them at the end of another meeting.

Tip: Keep it private and professional – ideally in person or on a video call, not over email or while making coffee in the staff kitchen.

4. Be clear and confident

When the time comes, keep it simple. Thank your manager for their time, talk about what you’ve enjoyed and achieved, and then clearly make your request.

Here’s a simple structure you can follow:

“Thanks for meeting with me. I’ve really enjoyed working on [project/team] and I’m proud of the results we’ve achieved. Over the past [time period], I’ve taken on additional responsibilities and delivered [specific achievements]. Based on that – and what I’ve seen in current salary data for similar roles – I’d like to discuss a review of my current salary.”

Then pause. Let them respond.

Tip: Avoid apologising or using vague language like “I was hoping...” or “I just wanted to ask...” – it weakens your message. Be respectful but assertive.

5. Understand the bigger picture

Sometimes, even if your performance is strong, your employer might not be able to offer a pay rise due to budget constraints. That doesn’t mean the conversation was a waste – far from it.

Use this as an opportunity to explore other options. Would flexibility help? Extra leave? Support for training or mentoring towards a promotion?

Tip: Think about what else you value – and be ready to raise those options if salary is off the table for now.

6. Follow up and plan ahead

Whatever the outcome, send a quick thank-you email after the meeting. If a second conversation was suggested, lock in a date. If the answer was no, ask for feedback – and agree on what milestones or timelines would make a review more likely in the future.

If the answer is yes – congrats! Get it in writing and confirm when the raise starts.

Final thoughts

Asking for a pay rise doesn’t have to be scary. It’s not about confrontation – it’s about professional communication. And whether you get the outcome you want straight away or not, the act of backing yourself is always a worthwhile move.

Remember: no one else is going to have this conversation for you and if you dont ask, you dont get!