Pay Rise & Salary Increase Calculator

To calculate a percentage pay rise: New salary = Current salary × (1 + raise% ÷ 100). For example, a 5% rise on a $70,000 salary: $70,000 × 1.05 = $73,500. The annual increase is $3,500, which works out to $291.67 more per month or $67.31 more per week. Use the calculator above to get the full breakdown instantly.

A 3% pay rise is roughly in line with historical inflation in many developed countries, so it maintains your purchasing power but doesn't increase it. Whether it's "good" depends on context: if inflation is running above 3%, your real wage is declining. If the job market is tight and you have strong performance, 5–10% is more typical for merit increases. Compare your raise against both inflation (CPI) and your market value.

The best times to request a salary increase are: (1) during your scheduled annual performance review — many companies budget for salary adjustments at this time; (2) after a major achievement or successful project; (3) when you've taken on significant new responsibilities; or (4) when you've received an outside job offer. Prepare by researching your market rate (using sites like Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, or Seek), documenting your achievements, and timing the conversation when your manager is not under immediate pressure.