Salary Raise Calculator 2026

How much raise should you ask for? Get a fair number based on inflation (3.4%), your sector's wage growth, and your tenure. Includes situation verdict.

Quick Answer

CVCraft's raise calculator returns four numbers: Inflation Floor (just keep up with CPI), Sector Rate (matches market wage growth in your category — Tech 5.2%, Healthcare 5.6%, Finance 4.1%), Reasonable Ask (recommended target), and Aggressive Ask (with leverage like a competing offer). Methodology blends BLS Employment Cost Index 2025-26 + sector-specific wage growth + tenure adjustment.

Your situation

Current annual salary

Months since last raise

Role

Years at company

Your situation

Right time for annual review

Standard cadence is annual. Aim for sector rate or above based on performance.

Inflation Floor

$124,080

+3.4% (CPI 2026)

Sector Rate

$744,000

+520.0% (Technology market)

Reasonable Ask

$744,000

Recommended target

Aggressive Ask

$803,520

With leverage (offer)

Promotion-tier ask: $141,600

If you've taken on next-level responsibilities (managing people, broader scope, technical leadership), a +18% promotion-level raise is realistic — frame the ask as a title change, not just a comp bump.

Salary Raise FAQ

What is a typical annual raise in 2026?

US private-sector raises average 3.6% in 2026 per BLS Employment Cost Index — close to the 3.4% inflation rate. Tech raises run higher (5.2%), healthcare (5.6%), trades (6.5%), education lower (3.0%). Below-inflation raises are real-terms pay cuts.

How much raise should I ask for?

Anchor on inflation (3.4%) + your sector's wage growth (4-7% depending on category) + a tenure premium if you've gone 12+ months without a raise. The "Reasonable Ask" in the calculator above blends all three. With a competing offer in hand, push 8-15% above sector rate.

When is the best time to ask for a raise?

Best moments: (1) immediately after a major win/project delivery, (2) at the annual review cycle (typically Q1 in tech, fiscal-year-end at large companies), (3) when you've been promoted in scope but not title, (4) when you have a competing offer. Worst: during layoffs, hiring freezes, or just after a missed quarter.

How long should I wait between raises?

Standard cadence is annual — most companies budget raises Q1. Going more than 18 months without a raise means you're slipping behind market. If you went 24+ months, reasonable ask jumps to 8-12% just to catch up.

How do I justify a 15% raise?

Three pillars: (1) market data — show you're below market for your level (BLS, Levels.fyi, our salary database). (2) impact — quantify revenue/cost-savings/scope expansion since last raise. (3) leverage — competing offer (must be real, in writing). Without #3, single-digit raises are easier to land.

Best Leverage = A Competing Offer

CVCraft's free ATS scan helps you land that competing offer fast.

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