Know your number. Make your case.
Turn your pay target into a clear ask, see what it could add to your checks, and compare it with the overtime it would take to earn the same gross money.
Set your target
Make the case
Build a specific, evidence-based ask.
Use the target as your opening request and decide your floor privately before the conversation.
This tool provides planning estimates, not a guarantee of a raise or tax advice. Overtime availability and pay rules vary by job and location; confirm your terms with the employer.
Straight answers
How should I choose my target raise?
Base it on added responsibilities, measurable results, reliable attendance, skills, and the value of the work—not just a number pulled from thin air. Check current local wage ranges where possible, and treat the target as a starting point for a conversation, not a promise.
Is overtime really equal to a raise?
No. Overtime depends on available hours and costs extra time away from home. This comparison only shows the gross hours needed to earn the same added gross dollars; it does not claim the two options are equal in stability, benefits, or quality of life.
Why is the take-home amount only an estimate?
Your actual paycheck depends on federal and state taxes, benefits, deductions, filing status, and withholding elections. The percentage here is a simple planning assumption, not a tax calculation.
What if my employer says no?
Ask what specific results or skills would support a review, agree on measurable checkpoints, and set a date to revisit the conversation. Don’t accept a vague promise as guaranteed future pay.
Put the raise to work
When your pay changes, update the plan before the extra money disappears into spending. Use a paycheck planner to give every dollar a job.
Browse The Come Up planners →