The Best Time To Ask For A Raise

The Best Time To Ask For A Raise

Updated: August 31, 2026

Asking for a raise can feel uncomfortable. You may know you deserve more money, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should ask for it at any random time.

Timing can make a difference. Asking when your employer is reviewing compensation, preparing a new budget, or when you have just demonstrated significant value can give your request a better chance of being taken seriously.

So, when is the best time to ask for a raise?

There isn’t one perfect month or day that works for every employee. Instead, the best time is usually when your performance is strong and your employer is in a position to consider changing your compensation.

Ask After a Major Accomplishment

One of the best times to ask for a raise is shortly after you have demonstrated your value to your employer.

Maybe you:

• Completed an important project
• Increased sales or revenue
• Saved the company money
• Took on additional responsibilities
• Solved a significant problem
• Improved a process
• Took on leadership responsibilities
• Received excellent feedback from your manager or clients
• Consistently exceeded your performance goals

The key is to make the connection between what you did and the value it created for the company.

Instead of simply saying, “I have been here for two years and think I deserve a raise,” you will generally have a stronger argument if you can explain what you have accomplished and how your responsibilities or contributions have grown.

Ask Around Your Performance Review

A performance review can be a natural time to discuss your compensation.

If your company regularly discusses raises during annual reviews, you may want to bring up the subject as part of that conversation.

But don’t necessarily wait until the review itself.

In some workplaces, compensation decisions are made before employees sit down for their formal performance reviews. If that’s the case, waiting until the review could mean the budget has already been determined.

If you know your review is approaching, consider asking your manager beforehand:

“I’d like to discuss my compensation during my upcoming review. Is there anything I should prepare for that conversation?”

That gives you an opportunity to understand how the process works and prepare your case.

Ask Before Your Employer Finalizes the Budget

Another potentially good time to ask for a raise is before your employer finalizes its compensation budget for the upcoming year.

Many businesses plan their budgets months in advance. If salary increases are included in those budgets, your manager may have more flexibility to consider a raise before the numbers are finalized than after the budget is already set.

This is one reason fall can be a good time to start the conversation at companies that operate on a calendar-year budget.

But don’t assume every company follows the same schedule. Some employers have fiscal years that begin in different months.

The important question is not necessarily, “What month is best?”

It’s:

“When does my employer make compensation decisions?”

January and February Can Be Good Months

January and February can be good months to ask for a raise at companies that begin their fiscal year in January.

New budgets may be available, and managers may be setting goals and compensation plans for the year ahead.

However, this isn’t true everywhere.

If your employer finalized its salary budget months earlier, January may actually be too late.

That’s why understanding your company’s compensation cycle is more useful than relying on a calendar.

Don’t Ignore the Months Before the Budget Cycle

If your employer typically makes compensation decisions in January, you may want to start the conversation several months earlier.

For example, if your manager begins preparing the department’s budget in September or October, waiting until January to ask could mean you missed the opportunity to have your raise included.

You don’t necessarily have to make the formal request months in advance. But knowing when decisions are made can help you choose the right time to raise the issue.

Ask When Your Responsibilities Have Increased

You don’t necessarily have to wait for an annual review to ask for a raise.

If your job has substantially changed since you were hired, that can be an important reason to discuss your compensation.

For example, perhaps you were hired to perform one role but are now:

• Managing employees
• Training new workers
• Handling major clients
• Performing work that used to be assigned to someone else
• Taking on responsibilities from a higher-level position
• Working on projects outside your original job description

If your responsibilities have grown significantly, it may be reasonable to ask whether your compensation should be reviewed as well.

The strongest argument isn’t simply that you are doing more work. It’s that your role and the value you provide have changed.

Choose the Right Time of Day

The timing of the conversation itself can matter, too.

You probably don’t want to walk into your manager’s office and ask for a raise when they’re rushing into a meeting, dealing with an emergency, or preparing for a major deadline.

Instead, ask for a dedicated conversation.

You could say:

“I’d like to schedule some time to talk about my role and compensation. When would be a good time for us to discuss it?”

That gives your manager an opportunity to prepare rather than feeling caught off guard.

Avoid Asking at a Particularly Bad Time

Even if you have a strong case, there may be times when your employer simply isn’t in a good position to consider a raise.

For example, you may want to reconsider the timing if:

• Your company is going through layoffs
• Your department is facing significant budget cuts
• Your employer has announced a hiring freeze
• Your company is experiencing serious financial problems
• You recently received a poor performance review
• You are in the middle of a major workplace conflict
• Your manager is dealing with an unusually demanding period

That doesn’t necessarily mean you should never ask.

It may simply mean that the timing isn’t ideal.

If your employer can’t increase your salary right now, you can ask when would be an appropriate time to revisit the conversation.

What About Asking After You Receive a Job Offer?

If you’re considering a new job, the timing is different.

The strongest time to negotiate your salary is generally after you receive a job offer but before you accept it.

At that point, the employer has indicated that it wants to hire you, and compensation is still being finalized.

You can research the market rate for the position and make a reasonable counteroffer based on your experience, qualifications, and the value you bring to the role.

If you want more help with this part of the process, see our guide on How to Negotiate Salary.

How to Know If It’s the Right Time to Ask for a Raise

Before asking, consider these five questions:

1. Have I demonstrated my value?

Can you point to specific accomplishments rather than simply saying you work hard?

2. Have my responsibilities increased?

Are you doing substantially more than you were when your current salary was established?

3. Does my company have a compensation review process?

Find out when and how your employer typically makes salary decisions.

4. Is my employer financially positioned to consider a raise?

A great performance doesn’t guarantee that your employer has the budget to increase your salary.

5. Am I prepared to make my case?

Know what you are asking for and be prepared to explain why you believe it is appropriate.

If you can answer “yes” to most of these questions, you may have a good opportunity to start the conversation.

How Much Should You Ask For?

Before asking for a raise, research what people in similar positions are earning. You can use the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook to research typical pay and employment information for your occupation.

Consider factors such as:

• Your job title
• Your experience
• Your location
• Your industry
• Your education and certifications
• Your responsibilities
• Your company’s size
• Your accomplishments

Don’t base your request solely on how much you personally need or how much your expenses have increased.

Your employer is more likely to focus on the value of your work and how your compensation compares with the company’s pay structure and the market.

What If Your Employer Says No?

A “no” doesn’t necessarily mean the conversation was a failure.

Your employer may have a legitimate reason for not approving a raise right now. There may not be room in the budget, or the company may have a compensation schedule that doesn’t allow for an immediate increase.

If your request is denied, consider asking:

“What would I need to accomplish to be considered for a raise in the future?”

You can also ask:

“When would be a good time for us to revisit this?”

Getting a specific answer can give you something concrete to work toward instead of simply wondering whether you should ask again.

So, What Is the Best Time to Ask for a Raise?

The best time to ask for a raise isn’t necessarily January, March, or October.

The best time is usually when you can demonstrate your value and your employer is making or preparing to make compensation decisions.

That might be:

• Shortly after a major accomplishment
• During or shortly before a performance review
• Before your company’s compensation budget is finalized
• After your responsibilities have substantially increased
• After receiving strong positive feedback
• Before accepting a new job offer

Most importantly, don’t wait for the “perfect” moment if your role has changed significantly or your accomplishments clearly justify a compensation discussion.

Do your research, understand your employer’s compensation process, prepare your talking points, and choose a time when your manager can actually give the conversation the attention it deserves.

Asking for a raise can feel intimidating. But asking professionally and being prepared to explain why you have earned it can make the conversation much easier.

Related Articles

• How to Negotiate Salary
• Can Employers Ask for Salary History?
• How a Strong Personal Brand Can Make You More Money

Disclaimer

This article is intended for informational purposes only. It provides general information and is not intended and should not be construed as professional advice. The author is not your attorney, accountant, financial planner or any other professional and no professional-client relationship is created. We do not represent that the information provided is accurate or up-to-date as laws and regulations are always changing. If you have an issue that requires professional help, you should contact the appropriate professional to help you on your specific set of facts. Please read our Terms and Conditions.

Article: The Best Time To Ask For A Raise