Career Coach

How to ask for a raise by email

Updated

Use the email to book the conversation and put your case on record, not to negotiate the whole thing in writing. Keep it under 150 words: your results, your number, and a request for a short meeting. Email works best when your manager is remote, very busy, or needs something to forward to whoever approves pay.

What to do

  1. Write a plain subject line. "Time to discuss my compensation?" is clear and calm. Avoid "Urgent" or anything that sounds like a resignation.
  2. Lead with results. Two or three achievements with numbers, each on one line. Your manager may forward this, so make it readable by someone who does not know you.
  3. Name your number. One specific salary or percentage, backed by a short reason: market pay for your role, or the bigger scope you now cover.
  4. Ask for a meeting. Propose two time slots in the next week. Pay is still best settled in a live conversation, where tone and follow-up questions help you.
  5. Send it at a calm time. A Tuesday to Thursday morning is a safe default. Avoid Friday evenings and days of big announcements.
  6. Follow up once. No answer after three to five working days: reply in the same thread with one line asking if they had a chance to look. Then raise it in your next one-on-one.

What to say

Copy this email and replace the details:

Subject: Time to discuss my compensation? Hi Sam, I'd like to set up a short meeting about my salary. Since my last review, I led the vendor switch that saves us about [amount] a year, took over the reporting for two regions, and onboarded three new team members. Based on that scope and what similar roles pay locally, I'd like to discuss moving my salary to [your number]. Would Tuesday at 10 or Thursday at 2 work for 20 minutes? Thanks, Alex

Avoid

  • Don't send a long letter: past 150 words, people skim and miss your number.
  • Don't CC HR or a second manager on the first email; it reads as escalation.
  • Don't write anything you would not want forwarded to the person who approves pay.

Your situation

Does your manager work in the same place as you?
Have you discussed pay with them before?

Questions

Is it unprofessional to ask for a raise by email?

No. Email is a normal way to request a meeting and share your case, especially with remote or busy managers. The final discussion still works best live.

Should I put the exact number in the email?

Yes, if you have done your research. A clear number gives your manager something concrete to take to the budget owner.

What if they reply no by email?

Thank them and ask for a 15 minute call to understand what would make it possible and by when. Then confirm what you agreed in a short follow-up email.