Review advice on when and how to send an email asking for a raise, what to include, tips for writing the message, and examples.
When To Ask for a Raise via Email
Especially when you’re working remotely, an email can be the easiest way to ask for more money. Your manager will have time to consider the best response.
What Your Employer Needs To Decide
The decision to grant a salary increase is not one that most managers make lightly. They need time to consider your request, evaluate your progress on your career track, and analyze the contributions you have made to the organization. They may also need to review departmental finances to see whether their budget can accommodate a raise. Finally, they must consider the underlying message they would be sending to you—and to your peers—should they grant your request. Raises are not merely about money—they are psychological confirmation that an employer values an employee and wants to retain them. So, senior management will have to decide whether you are worth this commitment, based on your work history and pattern of contributions. They also have to anticipate whether their decision to award you a raise will lead to mass requests by other employees for wage increases. If forced to deny raises to other personnel, will they then have to deal with morale issues?
What To Write in a Salary Increase Email Message
Your message should include:
A request for a meeting to discuss your compensation (in the subject line of the message)Why you deserve a salary increaseWhat additional responsibilities you have taken on in your roleAny skills or certifications you have acquired since being hired
It’s also a good idea to include information on how much you enjoy your job and working at the company. You don’t want to come across as a disgruntled employee who isn’t paid enough. Also, don’t just ask for more money. It’s a better strategy to ask for an opportunity to discuss a raise, rather than to simply ask for a bigger paycheck. People get busy and aren’t always aware of how much work their employees have taken on. It’s fine to mention what you have been handling and how your role has changed since you started the job. Write a formal message in a standard business letter format. Keep it professional even if you are on friendly terms with your boss. Your email may be forwarded to others at the company to review. The email message format should include:
A professional greetingA formal closing
Need a refresher on how to format an email message for professional correspondence? This primer includes all the information you might’ve forgotten, including appropriate fonts, subject lines, and signatures.
Email Message Asking for a Raise Example
Here is an example of an email message requesting a meeting with a manager to discuss a salary increase. Dear Mr. Matthews, I am grateful for the opportunity to work for you as Development Coordinator for XYZ Nonprofit. Over the past two years, my responsibilities at XYZ have grown significantly, and I not only consistently complete all of these responsibilities, but I do so with an exceptional quality of work. I would, therefore, like to respectfully request a meeting to review my salary. As you know, my salary has remained the same since I was hired in 2020. Since then, I have happily added some duties to my workload that have allowed me to contribute even more to the company. For example, I volunteered to develop a quarterly newsletter, and am currently in charge of the writing, formatting, and printing of the publication. As you know, I also recently completed a graduate certificate program in grant writing. I believe that my increasing contributions to the company and my new qualifications justify a pay raise. I would love the opportunity to meet with you to discuss a raise in my salary. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Firstname LastnameDevelopment CoordinatorXYZ Nonprofit123 East StreetCincinnati, OH 45202555-555-5555firstname.lastname@email.com
