Pay Raise Calculator
Enter your current salary and raise percentage to instantly see your new annual salary, monthly increase, and how much extra you will take home after taxes.
Budget Your New Income Wisely
A raise is the perfect time to update your budget. Avoid lifestyle creep by allocating the extra income to savings and debt payoff first.
Get the Free Budget Template →How to Use Your Raise Wisely
- Increase retirement contributions — boost your 401k by at least half the raise amount.
- Build your emergency fund — aim for 3-6 months of expenses.
- Pay off high-interest debt — credit cards first, then student loans.
- Avoid lifestyle creep — the #1 reason high earners still feel broke.
Average Raise by Industry (2026)
- Tech — 4-6% annual raises
- Healthcare — 3-5%
- Finance — 3-5%
- Retail/Hospitality — 2-4%
- Job switch — 10-20% (the biggest "raise" strategy)
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good raise percentage?
In 2026, the average annual raise is 3-4% for cost-of-living adjustments and 5-10% for merit/promotion raises. If inflation is 3%, a 3% raise just keeps you even — push for 5%+ for real income growth.
How much of my raise should I save?
A common guideline is to save at least 50% of any raise. If you get a $5,000 raise, increase your annual savings by $2,500 and enjoy the other half guilt-free.
Will a raise push me into a higher tax bracket?
Tax brackets are marginal — only the income above the bracket threshold is taxed at the higher rate. A raise will never result in less take-home pay. The "higher bracket" fear is a common misconception.