Career✓ Follow-up at 4 weeks2,670 views
How to ask for a raise when you know you're underpaid
A step-by-step negotiation plan to ask for a raise by gathering market data, documenting your wins, scripting the conversation, and having a backup plan.
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Follow-Up Result
4 weeks laterGot a 15% raise after presenting market data and a wins document to manager
The Problem
I've been at my company for 3 years and I'm pretty sure I'm underpaid by at least $10-15K compared to market rate. I've taken on more responsibilities, consistently get good reviews, but my raises have been 2-3% cost-of-living bumps. I'm nervous about asking because I don't want to seem greedy or ungrateful, and I'm worried they'll say no and things will be awkward. But I also can't keep pretending I'm okay with being undervalued.
The Plan
Week 1: Build Your Case
Research your market value on Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, Payscale, and LinkedIn Salary — get 3+ data points
Document every win from the past 12 months: projects completed, revenue generated, problems solved, extra responsibilities
Quantify everything you can: "I managed a project that saved $50K" hits harder than "I worked hard"
Talk to recruiters — even if you're not leaving, knowing your external value gives you confidence and leverage
Write it all down in a one-page "brag document" you can reference
Week 2: Prepare the Conversation
Request a dedicated meeting with your manager — don't ambush them in a hallway
Script your opening: "I'd like to discuss my compensation. I've done some research and I'd like to share what I've found"
Practice with a friend or in the mirror — the first time you say the number shouldn't be in the meeting
Decide your target number AND your walk-away number before going in
Prepare for objections: "budget is tight" → "I understand, can we set a timeline?" / "you just got a raise" → "that was a cost-of-living adjustment"
Week 3-4: Have the Meeting and Follow Up
Lead with your value, not your needs — "Here's what I've contributed" not "I need more money"
Present the market data calmly: "Based on my research, the market rate for my role and experience is X"
State your ask clearly: "I'm requesting an adjustment to $X to align with market rate and my contributions"
If they say yes, get it in writing with a start date
If they say no or "not now," ask: "What specifically would I need to do to earn this increase, and by when?"
Resources
Glassdoor and Levels.fyi — salary comparison tools
"Never Split the Difference" by Chris Voss — negotiation techniques that work
r/careerguidance — real stories from people who've successfully negotiated raises
Follow-Up Result
4 weeks in: got a 15% raise. The brag document was the key — manager admitted they hadn't realized how much I'd taken on. Market data made it a business conversation, not an emotional one. The recruiter conversations gave me a backup offer which I didn't need to use but knowing it was there made me confident. Manager said they appreciated the professional approach. Biggest lesson: they won't pay you more unless you ask, and asking professionally is not greedy — it's smart.Know someone with this problem?
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