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How do I ask my boss for a large salary increase?

I am the youngest manager in a pretty senior management position at my company. I was promoted into the position about 15 months ago. I was started at a the "low end" of the salary range due to my limited experience. There are many managers in my position delivering 1/2 the value I bring to the company (and 1/2 the sales volume) that are making 30% more salary than I am. I was told I'd be eligible for an annual increase which I just received - a 2% cost of living increase that everyone in the position was given. So, how do I now go about asking my boss for the 15-20% increase I feel I deserve?

TomW's picture
Training Badge

The first thing you have to do is show how your value to the firm exceeds the salary you are getting. Be able to justify it in as many ways as you can.

Do you have sales figures or productivity stats that back your claims? Do you have industry data that shows most people in that role make more than you? How is the company doing? If they had a rough year, it might not be in a position to pay you more.

Since you are already in the position, I wouldn't get my hopes up too much. Large raises without another promotion are pretty rare, even if you were brought in at the low end of a range.

Watch out for that "I deserve." That's really subjective and your boss won't go for it.

HMac's picture

[quote="JOHNDEMMA"]There are many managers in my position delivering 1/2 the value I bring to the company (and 1/2 the sales volume) that are making 30% more salary than I am.[/quote]

Is that your opinion, or do you have actual facts?

I realize this is a forum, and not the way you'd actually talk to your boss - but be careful that you don't build your case to sound like a complaint.

Fair or not, what others do or make doesn't really matter. You generally can't use it to make your case. You have to make it on your own merits.

-Hugh

jhack's picture

This thread, while it begins on a separate note, covers a lot of issues that are undoubtedly on your mind:

http://www.manager-tools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1771

US41's comments are particularly worthy.

John