Nominal vs. real raise
A raise below inflation is a pay cut in disguise. Compare the after-tax raise dollar amount to your annual cost-of-living increase — if the former is smaller, your standard of living just dropped even though the number on your paystub went up.
- • 3% raise, 30% tax = 2.1% real take-home bump
- • If inflation is 3.5%, that's a −1.4% real cut
- • You need ~5% gross just to keep pace in most 2026 US cities
What a 'good' raise looks like in 2026
Merit raises are compressed after two years of high inflation. Meaningful jumps come from promotions or external offers.
- • Cost of living / merit: 3–4% (matches inflation, no real gain)
- • Strong performer: 5–7%
- • Promotion with new scope: 8–12%
- • Retention counter to outside offer: 10–20%
- • Job change to new company: 15–25%+
Negotiation anchors that actually work
Bring the math, not the ask. Anchor on market data (Levels.fyi, Payscale), your documented impact, and the cost of replacing you (typically 6–9 months of salary in recruiting + ramp).
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Read the guideFAQ
How much is a 3% raise on $60,000?
$60,000 × 3% = $1,800 gross per year, or about $150/month. After a 25% marginal tax rate, you'll see roughly $1,350 extra ($112/month) hit your take-home.
Is a 5% raise good?
In 2026, 5% is above the US median of ~3.5%. It roughly matches or slightly beats inflation, so you get a small real gain. For a promotion or major scope change, aim for 8–12%.
How do I calculate my new hourly rate?
New annual salary ÷ (hours per week × 52). A $75,000 salary at 40 hrs/wk = ~$36.06/hr. A 5% raise moves it to ~$37.86/hr.
Should I use marginal or effective tax rate?
Use MARGINAL. Your raise stacks on top of existing income, so it's taxed at your top bracket rate (federal + state + FICA), not your blended average.
What if my raise is less than inflation?
You took a real pay cut. Document it, get external offers as leverage, and ask for a mid-cycle adjustment or a promotion path.
How much of a raise should I ask for?
Anchor 20–30% above your target so you land where you want. If you'd accept 8%, ask for 10–12% with clear justification (market data + impact).
Do raises compound?
Yes — every future raise is % of your new salary. A 5% raise now on $80K creates ~$4K/yr more base, which every future % raise then multiplies. Small early-career jumps matter a lot.
Does a raise push me into a higher tax bracket?
Only the portion above the bracket threshold is taxed at the higher rate. You NEVER lose money by taking a raise — a common myth. The marginal rate applies only to the incremental dollars.
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