PayTools

Raise vs Inflation

Compare a nominal raise to inflation to find your real raise in purchasing power.

Gross pay, commission, and raise figures are calculated locally in your browser — no payroll numbers are uploaded.
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Try: Current salary=60000, Nominal raise=3, Inflation rate=3.3 → $60,000, 3.00%, 3.30%, -0.30%, $1,800, $-180

How to use

Enter your raise and an inflation rate (default 3.3%). The tool shows your real raise — the part of the increase that actually grows your purchasing power after prices rise.

By Jordan Meyer, compensation writer

FAQ

What is a good raise to ask for?

It depends on your performance, the market rate for your role, and company budgets. A 3%–5% raise is common for solid performance; promotions or hot skills can justify more. Always anchor to market data, not just a percentage.

Should I negotiate in dollars or percent?

Both. Lead with the dollar amount you want, then show the percentage so it is easy to approve. A concrete number ("$3,000 more") is harder to dismiss than "a bit more".

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