Figuring out what your salary will look like after a raise doesn't need to be complicated. Whether you're getting ready for a performance review, negotiating a job offer, or you're just curious about where your earnings could go, having the actual numbers in front of you matters. A pay raise calculator shows you exactly how a percentage increase or flat dollar amount plays out across your different pay periods.
People tend to underestimate what even smaller percentage increases add up to over time. A 3% raise doesn't sound like much on paper, but when you actually break it down monthly or weekly, you're looking at real money that impacts your budget and what you can save. The problem is doing these calculations by hand opens the door for mistakes, especially when you're trying to compare different scenarios or work out what number to ask for when you're negotiating salary.
Most companies budget somewhere between 3-4% for annual raises, though this changes pretty dramatically depending on the industry and how someone performs individually. Knowing these benchmarks helps you keep your expectations realistic and make smarter decisions about your career. When you can quickly see the difference between a 3% and 5% raise, or watch how a $5,000 increase breaks down in each paycheck, you're in a much better position to evaluate offers and plan financially. The right tools eliminate the guesswork from these calculations and give you confidence in the numbers.
Your industry makes a big difference when it comes to salary increases. Based on recent data, U.S. employers are projecting average pay increases around 3.5% for 2025, and about 85% of employees will get some kind of annual raise. But these numbers change quite a bit depending on your field. Science, engineering, and government roles typically see increases above 4%, while retail, customer service, and education positions average closer to 3.1%. Tech sector workers keep getting higher raises because there's strong demand for specialized skills. If you're working in a high-growth field, you can probably expect increases on the higher end. Understanding where your industry sits helps you figure out if your employer's offer is competitive or if you should be looking at other options, including career development opportunities that might increase your earning potential.
One of the toughest things workers deal with right now is the mismatch between salary expectations and what employers actually offer. Recent surveys show job seekers' average minimum salary expectations jumped from $73,391 in 2023 to $81,822 in 2024. Meanwhile, actual raises stay in that 3-4% range for most people. This gap creates frustration and can push people to job hunt when their expectations just aren't calibrated right. The trick is going into salary conversations with solid market research and realistic benchmarks. When you negotiate starting salaries, your success rate is actually pretty good—66% of workers who negotiate get what they're asking for, with an average increase of almost 19%. But that success hinges on asking for amounts that line up with market rates and the value you bring. Using a salary increase calculator lets you test out different scenarios and land on numbers that make sense for your finances and hold up during negotiations.
Sometimes the fastest path to a significant salary increase isn't asking for a raise at your current job—it's developing new skills that command higher pay. Workers who complete coding bootcamps see average salary increases of $25,000 or more, with many experiencing jumps of 50% or higher. TripleTen graduates report median salaries of $76,600, with data science program completers earning an average of $89,300 starting salary. These programs offer structured paths into high-demand fields, and with a 79% employment rate within six months of graduation and money-back guarantees if you don't land a job within 10 months, they represent a concrete alternative to hoping for annual merit increases. The tech sector continues to see 22-25% job growth projections over the next decade, meaning these skills remain valuable long-term investments. When traditional raises aren't meeting your financial goals, calculating the ROI on upskilling can reveal surprising opportunities.
This wage increase calculator uses standard formulas based on 40-hour work weeks and 52 weeks annually, ensuring reliable results every time. You can calculate raises using the method that matches your situation without creating accounts or sharing information. Start calculating immediately and get the clarity you need for your next career move.
See exactly how a raise would impact your income across hourly, weekly, monthly, and annual pay periods. Get your numbers now and walk into your next salary conversation prepared with specific figures. The calculator works instantly with no signup required.
To calculate your salary after a raise, you need your current salary and the raise amount (either as a percentage or dollar figure). If you have a percentage, multiply your current salary by that percentage expressed as a decimal, then add the result to your original salary. For example, a $50,000 salary with a 5% raise: $50,000 × 0.05 = $2,500 increase, giving you $52,500 total. If you have a dollar amount, simply add it to your current salary. Our pay increase calculator handles both methods automatically and shows you the results across all pay periods, saving you from having to do the math manually.
The percentage you should go for really depends on a few things—how you've performed, when you last got a raise, what's standard in your industry, and how your company's doing financially. For regular merit raises, most companies set aside 3-4% per year. If you've picked up major new responsibilities or you've been crushing it performance-wise, asking for 5-10% makes sense. For promotions, you're usually looking at 10-20% increases. Research shows 66% of people who negotiate starting salaries actually get what they're asking for. The trick is having specific accomplishments and market data to back up your request. If regular raises just aren't cutting it for your financial goals, it's worth noting that TripleTen bootcamp graduates frequently see 50%+ salary increases when they move into tech careers—way beyond what typical merit raises offer.
Your timing can really make or break your chances of getting a raise approved. The sweet spot? Tuesday mornings—managers tend to be more open to these conversations mid-week when they're focused but not completely swamped. From a bigger picture standpoint, shoot for 2-3 months ahead of annual review cycles, right after you've wrapped up major projects or hit significant wins, and when the company's doing well financially. Steer clear of Mondays when everyone's stress levels are through the roof, during budget cuts or layoffs, right after any performance hiccups, or at the end of fiscal quarters when budgets are already locked in. Set up a formal meeting instead of just bringing it up casually. Show up with your achievements documented, market research on what comparable roles pay, and specific numbers run through a salary raise calculator so you can clearly explain what you're asking for and why it makes sense.
Yes, definitely. This pay raise calculator automatically handles conversions between all time periods—hourly, weekly, monthly, and annual. When you plug in your hourly rate, it instantly shows you your weekly, monthly, and annual equivalents using standard full-time assumptions (40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year). This comes in really handy if you're moving from an hourly job to a salaried position, comparing job offers that structure pay differently, or negotiating and trying to figure out how an hourly bump translates to your yearly earnings. The calculator works backwards too—punch in an annual salary and you'll immediately see the hourly rate. This flexibility means you can understand your compensation no matter how it's packaged.
A merit raise is a salary bump you get for performing well in your current role, usually somewhere in the 3-5% range annually depending on company policy and what you've contributed individually. These raises recognize that you're doing your job well, but they don't come with changed responsibilities or a new title.
A promotion raise happens when you move up to a higher-level position with more responsibilities, different job duties, or a new title. Promotion raises are typically bigger—often in the 10-20% range—because you're taking on substantially more work. When you're figuring out potential raises, it's important to know which type you're actually talking about with your employer.
Use the gain calculator to run through different scenarios—like comparing a 3% merit increase versus a 15% promotion raise—so you can see what the financial impact of each path looks like for your career.
While typical annual merit raises land in that 3-4% range, there are ways to grow your income more substantially.
First, keep track of your achievements and put numbers to your impact on the company—this makes your negotiation position stronger.
Second, research what the market pays for your role and experience level so you actually know what you're worth.
Third, think about changing employers—people who switch jobs frequently see 10-20% increases.
Fourth, look at high-growth industries like tech. Recent data shows bootcamp graduates see average salary increases of $25,000+, with plenty experiencing 50% or bigger jumps.
TripleTen's programs in software engineering, data science, and business intelligence analytics turn out graduates earning median salaries between $75,000-$89,000, with a 79% employment rate within six months.
For reference, TripleTen holds a 4.87/5 rating across more than 1,000 reviews and offers a money-back guarantee if you don't land a job within 10 months. When regular raises aren't getting you where you need to be financially, picking up in-demand technical skills can really speed up your earnings growth.
If your raise request gets turned down, start by asking for specific feedback about why and what you'd need to do to get one down the road. Common reasons for denial include tight budgets, bad timing, or not enough documentation of your performance. Get clear answers on what's expected and when things might change. If the company's genuinely dealing with financial constraints, you might be able to negotiate for a performance review in 3-6 months, extra benefits like flexible work arrangements, or professional development opportunities. If the denial's about your performance, put together a concrete plan for improvement. But if you've documented solid performance, your request lines up with market rates, and the company keeps undervaluing what you bring to the table, it might be time to look around elsewhere. Sometimes your biggest raises come from switching employers—people who successfully negotiate new job offers see average increases of close to 19%. Use this experience to get a handle on your market value and make smart decisions about where your career goes next.