How To Calculate Pay Raises: A Step-By-Step Guide

You’ve been putting in the hours, exceeding expectations and making valuable contributions to your workplace. Now, it’s time to reap the rewards of your hard work—a well-deserved pay raise.

Whether you’re eyeing that next step on the career ladder or simply want to ensure your compensation keeps up with the cost of living, understanding how to calculate your pay raise is important.

Paycheck Calculator for Pay Raises

Here’s a handy pay raise calculator you can use to check what your new pay after your raise would be after federal, state and local taxes:

Time and a Half Calculator for Raises

The above pay raise calculator with taxes is good if you want to know your take-home salary, but we also have another useful time-and-a-half calculator you can use if you’ve been working overtime and you want to calculate what you’re owed.

Additionally, you can use the tabs above to change the calculator if you want an hourly pay raise calculator, in case you want to see what you’d earn hourly after your raise.

In this article, we’ll break down the pay raise calculation process into simple steps. Moreover, we’ll provide straightforward examples that illustrate each calculation, equipping you with the knowledge and confidence to have that salary conversation with your employer.

Without further ado, let’s kick things off.

How To Calculate Pay Raise Percentage

Understanding the percentage increase in your salary is the first step in calculating a pay raise. To calculate your raise percentage, follow these straightforward steps:

Step 1: Calculate the Difference Between Your Current Salary and Your Previous Salary

The first step involves subtracting your previous salary from your current one. This initial calculation quantifies the actual increase in your earnings. For instance, if your previous salary amounted to $40,000, and your new salary stands at $45,000, the difference between the two is $5,000.

Step 2: Divide the Salary Increase by Your Previous Salary

Next, we’ll calculate the percentage increase by dividing the salary increase (which, as we found, is $5,000) by your previous salary (in this example, $40,000). This division yields a decimal representation of the percentage increase (0,125).

Step 3: Convert the Resulting Decimal Value Into a Percentage

Lastly, to express your salary increase as a percentage, you’ll need to multiply the decimal value from Step 2 (0,125) by 100.

How To Calculate Your Salary Based on Percentage Increase

Let’s say you’re a high-performing restaurant Host or Hostess, and the Restaurant General Manager has informed you that your raise percentage is 12.5% as calculated in the previous section. Now, you want to determine your new salary based on this percentage increase and your previous salary of $40,000.

Let’s see how to calculate pay raises in this case:

Step 1: Convert Your Percentage Raise to a Decimal

To do this, divide your raise percentage (12.5%) by 100 to convert it to a decimal.

12.5% ÷ 100 = 0.125

Step 2: Multiply Your Previous Salary by the Decimal Raise Percentage

Take your previous salary (in this example, $40,000) and multiply it by the decimal raise percentage we calculated in Step 1 (0.125).

$40,000 x 0.125 = $5,000

Step 3: Add the Result From Step 2 to Your Previous Salary

Finally, add the result from Step 2 ($5,000) to your previous salary ($40,000) to calculate your new salary.

$40,000 + $5,000 = $45,000

So, your new salary after a 12.5% raise would be $45,000.

Pay Raise Calculator

If you don’t have time or prefer not to calculate your pay raise percentage manually, you can use our Pay Raise Calculator above. It’s a convenient tool to quickly estimate the impact of a pay raise on your earnings.

Simply enter your previous salary and new salary, and the calculator will provide you with the salary raise percentage.

You can also use our calculator to determine your new salary based on the pay raise percentage. Simply enter the pay raise percentage and your previous pay, and the calculator will provide you with your new salary amount.

In both cases, make sure to fill in only the white cells.

How Do Employers Calculate Pay Raises?

Employers use a combination of factors and strategies to calculate pay raises. The specific method and criteria can vary depending on the company’s policies, industry norms and the employee’s performance.

Here are some common factors and methods that employers may consider when calculating pay raises:

• Performance evaluations: Employers assess an employee’s job performance over a specific period, often annually or semi-annually. Performance evaluations serve as the foundation for determining an employee’s performance rating, which, in turn, plays a crucial role in determining the size of their merit-based pay increase.
• Cost-of-living adjustments (COLA): Some employers offer cost-of-living adjustments to ensure that employees’ salaries keep pace with inflation. COLAs are typically based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or other economic indicators.
• Market research: Employers may conduct salary surveys to compare their employees’ compensation with industry standards. If employees’ salaries are below the market average, employers may consider adjusting pay to remain competitive.
• Seniority: In some organizations, employees receive regular raises based on their length of service with the company. These are often referred to as “step increases” and are predetermined based on a structured salary scale.
• Promotion or job change: When an employee is promoted or takes on additional responsibilities, they may receive a salary increase to reflect the new role’s requirements and market value.
• Budget constraints: Employers must also consider budget limitations when determining pay raises. They may allocate a certain percentage of the budget for salary increases and distribute it among employees accordingly.
• Employee negotiation: In some cases, employees may negotiate pay raises with their supervisors or HR departments. Effective negotiation skills and a strong case for why a raise is deserved can influence the outcome. According to a recent survey, 85% of Americans who negotiated a job offer were successful. Conducted in March 2022, this survey polled 1,524 U.S. adults ages 25 to 70 who currently work either full- or part-time.

Source: Fidelity

• Company performance: A company’s financial health and performance can impact its ability to provide pay raises. When a company is thriving, it may be more generous with salary increases, while economic challenges may result in smaller raises or pay freezes.
• Minimum wage and legal requirements: In the U.S., the minimum wage is a critical legal requirement that sets the lowest hourly rate at which employers can compensate their employees. The federal minimum wage is established by federal law and serves as a baseline standard. As of 2023, it is $7.25 per hour. However, many states and local municipalities have their own minimum wage laws that can be higher than the federal minimum wage.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor

How Does a Pay Raise Affect Your Taxes?

As your income increases with a federal pay raise, your tax situation can undergo significant changes. These changes can lead to both increased tax obligations and potential benefits.

Let’s look at how a pay raise can affect your taxes:

• Increased taxable income: When you receive a pay raise, your taxable income generally increases because you are earning more money. This means you may owe more in federal and state income taxes.
• Higher tax bracket: Depending on the size of your pay raise, you could move into a higher tax bracket. Higher tax brackets typically have higher tax rates, which means you’ll owe a greater percentage of your income in taxes.
• Social Security and Medicare taxes: Pay raises can also lead to an increase in Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA taxes) because these are typically calculated as a percentage of your income. The Social Security tax has a wage base limit beyond which you don’t pay additional tax.
• Impact on tax credits and deductions: A pay raise can affect your eligibility for certain tax credits and deductions. For example, some tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), are income-based and may phase out as your income increases.
• 401(k) contributions: If you contribute a percentage of your income to a 401(k) or other retirement account, a pay raise can result in higher contributions, potentially reducing your taxable income.
• State taxes: State income tax rules vary, so a pay raise may affect your state tax liability differently depending on where you live. Some states have flat tax rates, while others have progressive tax structures.
• Additional tax planning: With a higher income, you may want to consider adjusting your tax withholding to ensure you’re not underpaying or overpaying taxes throughout the year.
• Capital gains taxes: If your pay raise allows you to invest more, any capital gains you earn from investments could be subject to capital gains taxes when you sell them.
• Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT): In some cases, a significant pay raise may trigger the AMT, a separate tax system with its own rules and rates.

In your quest to understand how a pay raise can impact your taxes, we provide a powerful tool that simplifies the process: our Paycheck Calculator. It calculates not only your gross pay but also meticulously breaks down all the relevant deductions and withholdings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Calculating Pay Raises

Interested in gaining a deeper understanding of this topic beyond just how to calculate pay raises? We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions to provide you with comprehensive insights

How much should a raise be?

The ideal raise amount can vary based on several factors, but a common guideline is to aim for a raise in the range of 3% to 5% annually. This percentage range generally helps employees keep pace with inflation, maintain their standard of living and feel recognized for their contributions.

For example, if you’re currently earning $50,000 per year, a 3% to 5% raise would translate to an increase of $1,500 to $2,500 per year. This is a reasonable and realistic expectation for a solid performance without considering promotions or significant role changes.

However, exceptional performance or significant changes in job responsibilities may warrant a larger raise. For instance, if you consistently exceed expectations, you might negotiate for a raise in the range of 6% to 10% or even more.

Similarly, if you’re promoted to a higher-level position, your raise may be significantly higher to align with the salary range for that role.

What is the average salary raise percentage in the U.S.?

In 2022, the average salary raise percentage in the U.S. was 4.2%. Factors that influence this average, include economic conditions, industry variations, individual performance, inflation and regional differences.

Source: Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

What is a 5% raise on $20 an hour?

To calculate a 5% raise on an hourly wage of $20, you can use the following formula:

Raise Amount = Hourly Wage × Raise Percentage

In this case:

Raise Amount = $20 × 0.05 (since 5% is equivalent to 0.05 as a decimal)

Raise Amount = $20 × 0.05 = $1

So, a 5% raise on an hourly wage of $20 is $1. Therefore, your new hourly wage after the raise would be $20 + $1 = $21 per hour.

What is a 10% raise on $20 an hour?

To calculate this, we use the same formula as above.

Raise Amount = $20 × 0.10 (since 10% is equivalent to 0.10 as a decimal)

Raise Amount = $20 × 0.10 = $2

So, a 10% raise on an hourly wage of $20 is $2. Your new hourly wage after the raise would be $20 + $2 = $22 per hour.

How do you calculate a 20% increase in salary?

To calculate a 20% increase in salary, you can use the following formula:

New Salary = Current Salary + (Current Salary × Percentage Increase)

Let’s say your current salary is $50,000, and you want to calculate a 20% increase:

New Salary = $50,000 + ($50,000 × 0.20)

New Salary = $50,000 + $10,000

New Salary = $60,000

So, a 20% increase in a $50,000 salary results in a new salary of $60,000.

Is it okay to ask for a 20% raise?

Asking for a 20% raise is not necessarily out of the question, but it does depend on various factors. Whether or not it’s considered acceptable typically hinges on your current salary, your job performance, industry standards and your company’s financial health.

If you’ve consistently demonstrated exceptional performance, taken on additional responsibilities, or have received offers from other employers indicating that your skills are in high demand, then a 20% raise may be justified. However, it’s crucial to approach such a request with a well-researched and compelling case, demonstrating how your contributions have added value to the organization.

What is considered an insulting raise?

What is considered insulting can vary from person to person, but generally, a raise that fails to cover inflation or doesn’t reflect your contributions to the company can be seen as disrespectful.

For instance, if you’ve been performing exceptionally well and have gone above and beyond your job duties, receiving a raise of 1% or 2% might be viewed as unfavorable. Similarly, if the raise doesn’t keep pace with the rising cost of living and doesn’t help you maintain your standard of living, it can be demoralizing.

It’s essential to communicate with your employer if you believe a raise offered to you is insulting. Constructive dialogue can help address concerns and provide an opportunity for a fairer adjustment.