How to Ask for a Raise in English (Without Feeling Awkward)

You have worked hard all year, taken on more responsibility, and you know you deserve a raise. But when your review comes, you say something vague, or nothing at all, and you leave the meeting with the same salary. If you are wondering how to ask for a raise (or a pay rise, in British English), this is very common, and it is usually about how the request is made, not your English level.

Why asking for a raise feels so uncomfortable

Year-end reviews are coming, and this is a natural time to talk about pay. But for many people, three things get in the way.

It can feel impolite or greedy

Many people grow up learning that talking about money is not polite. Modesty is a real value, so asking for more can feel wrong.

Hoping your manager will notice

Many people believe good work will be rewarded automatically. But managers often need a clear request before they can act. We look at this pattern in Why Your Manager Keeps Saying "Great Work" But You Never Get Promoted.

Hinting instead of asking

Soft phrases like "maybe in the future" feel polite, but they are easy for a busy manager to miss.

Signs this is happening to you

You might recognise some of these:

• Your responsibilities have grown, but your salary has not. You do more than a year ago, for the same pay.
• You have "mentioned" pay, but never actually asked. You hinted once, and the topic quietly disappeared.
• You are waiting for your manager to bring it up. Months pass, and the conversation never starts.

The problem is not your English. It is how the request is framed.

A real story: the hint that nobody heard

Steve once coached a customer success manager who had taken on much more responsibility over two years. She managed two of the company's largest accounts and trained new team members, but her salary had not changed. In her review, she said something like, "If possible, maybe in the future, I would be happy if my salary could be looked at." Her manager said, "Sure, let's see," and nothing happened.

Steve saw that she had hinted instead of asking, apologised for raising the topic, and not connected her request to her results. Her manager had nothing clear to take to the people who make pay decisions.

They prepared a short list of her results, practised explaining how her role had grown, and practised one clear, calm request, plus an answer for "not now".

She asked for a meeting and made her request clearly. Her manager did not approve it straight away, but agreed to take it to HR and review it again in three months. At that review, she received a salary increase.

Steve, AptSpeak's coach, puts it this way:

"Most of my clients don't ask for a raise. They hint, and then they hope. Managers are busy, and hints are easy to miss. A clear, calm request, backed by what you've delivered, isn't rude. It gives your manager something they can actually take to the people who decide."

How to ask for a raise: a simple structure

In many workplaces, a clear, calm request is seen as professional, not rude. These five steps help you prepare. They cannot guarantee a yes, but they make your request clear and easy to act on.

1. Choose the right moment

Good times include during or before your review, after a strong result, or when your role has grown. Ask for a dedicated conversation, not a quick chat in the corridor.

2. Show what you've delivered

Choose two or three achievements, each with a clear result. For example, a project manager might say, "I delivered the system migration two weeks early." For help, see How to Talk About Your Achievements in a Performance Review (Without Feeling Like You're Bragging).

3. Explain how your role has grown

Show how your work has grown beyond your original role.

• "Over the past year, I've taken on two major accounts and started training new team members."

4. Make one clear request

Say what you want in one calm sentence, without apologising. Before the conversation, it also helps to understand typical pay for your role.

• "Based on this, I'd like to discuss a salary increase."

5. Prepare for "not now"

If your manager cannot agree straight away, ask what you would need to show, and agree a time to review it again. A "not now" with a clear next step is still progress.

What to say when asking for a raise

These phrases help you through each part of the salary conversation with your manager.

Asking for the meeting

Compensation means your pay and benefits.

• "Could we set up some time to talk about my role and compensation?"
• "Before my review, I'd like to schedule a conversation about my salary."

Making your request

• "I'd like to discuss a salary increase that reflects my current responsibilities."
• "Given the results I've delivered this year, I'd like to talk about my pay."

If the answer is "not now"

• "I understand. What would I need to show to make this possible at my next review?"
• "Could we agree to revisit this in three months?"

Calm, clear phrases like these sound professional and confident, not demanding.

What to avoid

A few common habits can weaken a good request:

• Comparing yourself with colleagues' salaries. It moves the focus away from your own work and can create tension.
• Using personal reasons as your main argument. Rent or family costs are real, but your request is stronger when it is based on your work.
• Apologising for asking. Saying "sorry" makes a normal professional request sound like a problem.

FAQ: asking for a raise

When is the best time to ask for a raise?

Before or during your performance review is often a good time, especially after a strong result. Asking for a raise in a performance review works best if you book it in advance.

Should I mention a specific number?

Some people prefer to share a range they have researched, while others prefer to let their manager respond first.

What if my manager says no?

Stay calm, ask what would need to change, and agree when to revisit it. If you want to disagree politely, see How to Push Back at Work Without Sounding Rude.

Prepare for your pay conversation with an AptSpeak coach

AptSpeak offers communication training for international professionals and for corporate teams. Our coach, Steve, is an interview and communication coach from Arizona, USA, with 13 years of experience teaching and mentoring professionals.

Steve helps you turn your work into clear stories that impress managers and executives, and practise important conversations about pay, promotion, and career goals. His focus is building confidence, not just grammar, with clear, constructive feedback. You can start with a trial session.