What is a typical promotion raise?

Promotion raises typically range from 10-20%. The average promotion raise is 13-15% according to compensation surveys. Lateral moves average 5-10%.

Should I accept a promotion with less than 10% raise?

It depends. If the role offers career growth, new skills, or better trajectory, a smaller raise may be worth it. But industry standard for promotions is 10-20%. Below 10% may undervalue the additional responsibility.

How do I negotiate a promotion raise?

Research market rates for the new role, document the expanded scope, quantify your impact, and present a target range (e.g., 12-18%). Use the calculator to show how the raise compounds over time.

Promotion Raise Calculator

Promotions typically come with 10-20% salary increases. Calculate exactly how much more you'll earn and whether the offer aligns with market benchmarks.

Quick scenarios:

Current Salary

Pay Period

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Raise Type

Raise (%)

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Projection Years

401(k) Contribution (%)

New Salary

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Annual Increase

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After-Tax Increase

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Real Raise (vs Inflation)

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Calculating...

Nominal: — Real: — 5yr gain: — Doubles in: —

Pay Period Breakdown

Period	Before	After	Increase	%

Visual Comparison

🎉 Your Raise in Real Life

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coffees/month

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pizzas/month

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vacations/year

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lifetime impact (30yr)

💸 Paycheck-to-Paycheck Comparison

Current Bi-weekly Paycheck

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(after tax & 401k)

New Bi-weekly Paycheck

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⏳ Raise Countdown

When does your next raise take effect? Set the date to see a countdown.

Set your raise effective date →

📤 Share Your Results

401(k) Impact

Additional 401(k)/Year

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401(k) Growth (20yr @ 7%)

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Take-Home After 401(k) & Tax

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Multi-Year Compound Projection

Year	Salary	Cumulative Gain	Inflation-Adjusted

Scenario Comparison

Scenario A (%)

Scenario B (%)

Year	A	B	Difference

Negotiation Script

Industry Raise Benchmarks (2024)

Industry	Avg Raise	Context
Technology	4.8%	AI hiring pressure drives above-average cycles
Healthcare	4.2%	Staffing shortages keep raises competitive
Engineering	4.5%	Specialized talent commands stronger raises
Finance	3.9%	Stable, bonus-adjusted compensation
Construction	3.8%	Labor shortages push pay for experienced workers
Manufacturing	3.7%	Reshoring investment helps trade workers
Retail	3.0%	Tight margins keep raises near inflation
Education	3.1%	Budget-constrained COLA adjustments
Government	3.0%	Policy-driven, predictable step increases

Source: Mercer 2024 Compensation Survey

📈 Is Your Raise Good? (Historical Context)

Average raises vs inflation by year. A raise below inflation = real pay cut.

Year	Avg Raise	Inflation (CPI)	Real Value
2025	3.5–4.2%	~2.8%	Slightly ahead ✓
2024	3.8–4.5%	3.4%	Break-even
2023	4.0–4.6%	4.1%	Break-even
2022	4.0–4.8%	8.0%	Pay cut ✗
2021	3.0–3.5%	4.7%	Pay cut ✗

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Mercer Compensation Surveys

Raise History Tracker

Save your raises to track progression over time. Stored locally in your browser.

Typical Promotion Raise Ranges

Type	Range	Example ($70k base)
Lateral move	5-10%	$73,500 - $77,000
Standard promotion	10-15%	$77,000 - $80,500
Major promotion (e.g., to manager)	15-20%	$80,500 - $84,000
Skip-level promotion	20-30%	$84,000 - $91,000
External job change	10-25%	$77,000 - $87,500

Promotion Raise vs Merit Raise

A merit raise (3-5%) rewards performance in your current role. A promotion raise (10-20%) compensates for expanded scope, new responsibilities, and higher expectations. If offered less than 10% for a promotion, negotiate — you're being asked to do more for barely more pay.