How to Know When It’s Time to Ask for a Raise (And What to Say)

You’re Not Being Too Demanding. You’re Just Undervalued.

Let’s get one thing straight.

Asking for a raise isn’t about ego, greed, or making things awkward. It’s about alignment.

If your impact has outpaced your income…

If your responsibilities have grown but your compensation hasn’t…

Then we need to talk strategy.

You’re not here to play small.

You’re here to get paid for the value you bring.

And that starts with clarity, timing, and the right words.

Why So Many Women Stay Stuck (Even When They Know They’re Underpaid)

Here’s the hard truth. High-achieving women often wait too long to ask.

We rationalize the wait.

We tell ourselves it’s not the right time.

We don’t want to rock the boat or be seen as difficult.

But silence doesn’t lead to salary increases.

Strategy does.

Here are a few common blockers:

• Waiting for permission or perfect timing

• Believing loyalty will be rewarded automatically

• Worrying about being labeled as aggressive or entitled

Let’s dismantle those myths right now.

Five Signs It’s Time to Ask for a Raise

If you’re not sure whether it’s the right moment, these signs are your signal:

1. Your responsibilities have increased significantly, but your paycheck hasn’t.

2. You’re consistently performing above your role level.

3. You’ve hit or exceeded goals that drive measurable business impact.

4. You’ve done market research and your comp is below the benchmark.

5. You feel resentment creeping in, and it’s starting to affect your motivation.

If more than one of these made you pause, it’s time to move from frustration to action.

The Prep Work Most People Skip (But You Won’t)

Raise requests shouldn’t be emotional monologues. They should be strategic conversations.

And that means preparing like a pro:

• Track your wins. Document your results with metrics, outcomes, and specific projects.

• Know your number. Use tools like Glassdoor, Levels, or actual conversations with peers to understand your market value.

• Build your case. Lead with evidence. That’s what makes your ask compelling and easy to support.

• Plan the timing. Ideal windows include performance reviews, after major wins, or during budgeting cycles.

This is not about hoping. It’s about walking in with clarity and proof.

The Ask That Changed Everything

One of my clients had been mentoring team members, leading high-stakes projects, and running meetings her manager used to lead. But she hadn’t received a title change or a raise.

For months, she brushed it off.

“It’s fine. I’m just showing I’m ready.”

But what started as pride eventually turned into burnout. The turning point came late on a Friday night. She was rewriting a report at 10 p.m., while a peer with less responsibility had already logged off.

She got serious.

Started tracking her wins.

We refined her language and practiced her delivery.

She made the ask.

Result: a $15,000 raise and a revised title.

The shift didn’t come from waiting. It came from finally deciding her work deserved recognition.

Exactly What to Say (Scripts That Work)

You don’t need to overexplain or apologize. You need a clear, confident script.

Here’s one from the Salary Script freebie:

“I’ve taken some time to reflect on my contributions over the past year. From leading the [project name] to increasing [metric or outcome], I’ve consistently delivered results that align with our team’s goals. Based on this and my market research, I’d like to talk about adjusting my compensation to better reflect my impact.”

It’s direct, data-backed, and built to start the conversation.

If you want more examples like this, the full Salary Script freebie has customizable templates you can start using today.

What To Do If They Say No

Not every conversation will result in an immediate yes. But that doesn’t mean it was a failure. You’re still signaling your value.

If the answer is no:

• Ask what would need to happen to revisit the conversation.

• Request a timeline for reevaluation and next steps.

• Explore other forms of alignment like title, visibility, stretch roles, or benefits.

Your voice still made an impact. You’ve planted a seed. Now you get to nurture it with strategy.

Final Thought: Your Voice Is a Career Asset

This is not about asking for a favor. It’s about advocating for alignment.

It’s about standing in the truth of your value and choosing not to shrink.

Every time you speak up, you’re reinforcing your leadership.

Your clarity.

Your worth.

If your gut is nudging you to ask, it’s time.

Don’t let doubt delay the raise you’ve earned.

Ready to make your next ask a powerful one?

Inside The Vault, you’ll get the scripts, strategy, and support to stop second-guessing and start advocating like a leader.

Download this free template and take your next step with confidence. Then come join us inside The Vault. We’ll walk this out together.