Negotiating a Raise? Here's What Number to Say
The hardest part of any salary negotiation is picking a number. Ask for too little and you leave money on the table; ask for too much with no backing and you lose credibility. Setting three reference points ahead of time makes this much easier. Start with inflation — a raise that just keeps pace with rising prices is your bare minimum floor, since anything less means your real income actually shrinks. From there, layer in your expected performance and compare against the industry average to land on a target number, then add roughly 8% on top as a stretch goal to open the conversation with room to negotiate down. This calculator takes your current salary, the industry average, and inflation and returns all three numbers along with the raise amount and rate.
How It's Calculated
| Line | Calculation |
|---|---|
| Floor | Current salary × (1 + inflation rate) |
| Target | Greater of industry average or current × (1 + inflation + performance) |
| Stretch goal | Target plus roughly an 8% opening cushion |
A negotiation outcome depends on far more than the math — company budget, how scarce your skills are, and whether you have a competing offer all matter enormously. Once you've settled on a target number, back it up with concrete performance evidence or market data; a real competing offer from another company is usually your strongest leverage of all. Treat this tool as a way to set reference points before you walk into the room — your actual ask should weigh your specific accomplishments and the market you're in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Open with your stretch goal and treat your inflation-adjusted floor as your walk-away line. The industry average is a strong anchor if you're currently underpaid.
A flat salary loses real value as prices rise. A raise that only matches inflation is effectively standing still, so treat it as your minimum floor.
※ Estimate based on your inputs; actual negotiation outcomes depend on company budget and market conditions.