EVERYTHING is getting more expensive but a rocky economy and looming recession makes it harder than ever to get a pay rise to swallow extra costs.
Two in five expect to have have more outgoing bills and payments over the next six months, a survey by bank TSB found.
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And many of us are feeling the pinch each month, as bills continue to rise.
Rising financial burdens for employers such as National Insurance and higher minimum wages means many won’t be handing out salary raises automatically.
While others may have missed out on promotions or been loyal to the same company for years – but getting a pay rise has never been harder.
That’s why we’ve spoken to top career experts to share seven must-read tips to getting a pay rise now.
We know asking your manager for more cash isn’t easy, it’s daunting and it’s tricky to know the best way to play it.
“We’re in quite a difficult job market, says Max Tullis-Turner at recruitment firm Blue Pelican.
“But there are ways to improve your chances of being successful.”
Here, Max shares his top tips for bagging a bumper pay rise…
Time it well
First, you should plan a good time to talk to your boss about increasing your financial rewards.
On a micro level, this can mean sussing out when they’re more likely to be in a good mood and less stressed – a Friday afternoon, for example.
If you have any trusted colleagues at work who have already been through the process, it could be worth getting their advice on how they navigated the situation so you can follow in their steps.
Also consider the bigger picture of your company and the business environment.
The start and end of financial periods can be a good time to make requests, as budgets are being refreshed for the coming period.
We are now at the start of a new financial year and many firms have fresh budgets that could make now a ripe time to ask for an increase.
Max points out that you should also consider the company’s wider financial position.
He explained: “The worst time to ask for a pay rise would be after a round of redundancies, for example.
“Try to time it to when the business mood is positive. This could be after a particularly good trading season, if you are in commerce, for example.”
Make it formal
Approaching your manager with the appropriate degree of professionalism is key.
Max recommends requesting a meeting in advance and giving them an indication of what you want to discuss so they are not blindsided.
You could tell them you want to talk about how you are rewarded within the business, for example.
Use positive language when talking to your manager.
Think of phrases that underline your commitment to the company and role, such as I want to be in the firm for the long haul.
After the meeting, you should write down a summary of the conversation and send it your manager, according to Max.
Note down any agreements made, for example, you will be eligible for a pay rise in six months, as well as any exact figures that were part of the conversation.
Max added: “Make sure everything is written down as proof of the discussion, which could save any confusion further down the line.
“You should also ask for a timeline of when you’ll hear a decision.”
I asked for a 30% pay rise and got it
CODIE James, 33, was working as a senior transformation manager earning around £50,000 year when she successfully managed to negotiate a 30% pay rise. Here she shares how she did it….
I grew up in a working-class Yorkshire family. We didn’t talk about money. It felt taboo. Like wanting more meant being ungrateful.
However, I was taught to work hard. Show up and grasp every opportunity.
By my twenties, I was leading national transformations, negotiating multi-million-pound deals, and winning industry awards.
I started getting recruiter calls offering better pay for similar roles.
I didn’t want to leave. I loved the business and the culture.
But a question kept rising: Am I being paid what I’m worth?
A senior colleague told me: “Women often wait to be financially recognised. Men ask.”
That hit like a switch. I wasn’t being undervalued. I was under-asking.
I stripped out the emotion and impostor syndrome — and built a business case.
I mapped all my wins and and benchmarked salaries at my level.
I presented my case to may manager calmly, clearly and without apology.
Inside, I felt sick. Sweaty palms. Tight chest. But I asked.
And I got a 30% increase. Not a penny less. I was over the moon.
The conversation changed everything and the raise gave me a new mindset — one that led to bigger roles, and eventually the confidence to launch my own business coaching CEO and other top professionals to achieve their career goals.
The lesson is, don’t wait to be picked. Lead.
Use data, not emotion and make the ask easy to say yes to.
Most importantly, put the meeting in the diary.
Once it’s booked, you stop saying “I’ll do it soon” and start asking “How do I make this count?”.
List your achievements
Ahead of asking for a pay rise, you need to be ready to lay out exactly why you are worth more than six months or a year ago.
In many cases, it won’t be a decision that your boss can make alone, they’ll often have to take it up a level or to the HR department to approve.
Max says: “You need your boss to be on your side and bat for you, as they’ll be typically be arguing on your behalf for the powers that be for the increase.”
You can get your manager’s buy-in by giving your rationale clearly and concisely.
Try to gather and provide as many facts as you can.
Max adds: “You need an argument that can be proved.
“Really show how you are more valuable. For example, if you have learned a new skill over the period.
“Or bring in a list of wins, this is easier in a sale based environment but still try to quantify how yo have added value to the business even if you aren’t in this type of field.”
Go over the last six months to a year and list all your achievements.
It’s a good idea to keep a rolling list of your small and big wins at work that you can refer back to – this can also come in handy for performance reviews which is another key time to ask for a salary increase.
Have a figure in mind
Find out exactly how much you are worth based on your job level and career sector.
Job site Adzuna has a ValueMyCV tool which will estimate your value.
You can then work out if you are relatively well or low paid compared to similar workers in your sector.
If you are on the lower end of the scale, you can use the date to support your case doe a pay rise.
Either way, you should have an idea of exactly how much more you would like as well as what is the lowest increase you would accept.
Negotiate
The chances of being turned down for the pay rise you want are fairly high, especially in the current tough environment.
Max said: “Nothing is going to get agreed in a first meeting.
“Your manager will normally need to talk to HR and come back with an offer.”
An offer can create a starting point for negotiations with your employer.
If a pay rise is not possible, you could ask for a bonus, work-from-home options or even additional days off.
Lucrative alternatives to a pay rise
IF a cash pay rise isn’t on the table, there are plenty of meaningful alternatives that you can request. Beth Hope founder of &hope Executive Coaching gives an overview of some of your options…
More paid time off gives you valuable rest and recovery without cutting into your earnings.
Even an extra couple of days a year can make a big difference to your mental wellbeing.
The longer you’ve worked somewhere, the more likely they are to boost your annual leave.
Adjusting your hours, hybrid working, or compressed hours can better fit your life.
If it helps you save on childcare or transport, it’s a real win, even if it’s not money in your pay packet.
If a permanent raise isn’t possible, ask if a performance bonus could be introduced so that good work still gets rewarded.
- Paid-for training or qualifications
Upskilling now means you’ll be in a stronger position to earn more later.
Ask about certifications, workshops or short courses your employer could support or cover.
- Coaching or mentoring support
Ask for access to a workplace coach or a more experienced mentor, someone who can help you grow, build confidence and navigate your next steps.
Even one day a week can save money on travel and food, while helping to improve focus and lower stress.
- Boosted pension contributions
This won’t help with short-term bills, but extra employer pension contributions help grow your long-term financial security.
Ask whether your company can help with travel passes, discounts, or cycle-to-work schemes to reduce daily costs.
- Health or wellbeing perks
This could include a gym membership, mental health support, or even subsidised meals.
All things that take pressure off your budget and support your overall
wellbeing.
Use some leverage
Having a good look at other jobs available to you, should help give some insight into what the market is like in your sector.
For example, if there are plenty of job opportunities available it may suggest there are more positions available than workers, potentially making your more valuable to your employer.
Applying for other jobs can also help give you a flavour of the market and what you can expect to get paid by a rival firm.
Max said: “Looking outside of your business is always going to be the best way to get a pay rise.
“You can usually expect a salary jump of between £5-£10,000 by moving into a new job.”
If you really like your company and would prefer to stay put, you could use a job offer as leverage to get a pay rise.
However, Max warned this is a high risk strategy.
He added: “You might find you get a counter offer from your firm and you stay.
“But equally you have to be prepared for your boss to call your bluff and be willing to watch you walk out the door.
Ask how to get more
If you are turned down for your pay raise, ask exactly what it takes to get paid more by the business.
Max said: “You can challenge the business to give you a road map for extra money.
“For example, I want to earn an extra £10,000 more, how exactly can I achieve that and how long will it take.”
A year review is a good opportunity to do this and talk with your manager about where you want to be.
You can then make a plan and work on any extra skills the business feels you may need to earn the extra cash that you want.
If you follow all the points laid out you then know you are on track for the extra cash that you want.
Jobs getting the biggest pay rises
Some sectors of the jobs markets are getting far bigger salary increases than others.
Workers who saw the highest wage increase last year were “intervention tutors”, teachers who typically work with children with behavioural issues, according to data provided by Totaljobs.
Their salaries typically went up a whopping 81.39% between 2024 and 2025, going from £26,697 to £48,425 – a rise of £21,728.
This was followed by barristers, who received an extra £16,000 in pat packets last year, with average salaries climbing from £33,644 to £50,098 – a 48% increase.
Third in line where personal private assistants with salaries jumping 40% from an average of £50,000 in 2024 to £70,000 this year.
