It seems like this is a common question in the industry, with a lot of engineers feeling the pinch with their current compensation, which they feel undervalues them.

A lot of employers generally won’t come to you for a pay rise, so you guessed it—it falls on you to be in charge of your salary negotiations.

How do I know when I’m due a salary raise?

The wrong answer is, "My mate told me I can get an extra $50k at a large company." In what feels like a short time in the industry, I’ve noticed there’s a lot of diluted content out there. Be sure to do your own research.

The right answer is to ask once you’ve done your research into the market rate and you’re confident your request won’t fall on deaf ears. Consider your tenure with your employer, industry experience (not just years, but your niche), market demand, and the cost of living.

How do I prepare for a salary negotiation?

Remember, this isn’t a "told you so" meeting with your line manager about market salaries—they might not care. This is your chance to show the value you’ve been bringing to the company. I’ve found that highlighting key achievements (with numbers and stats) works best.

Be sure to speak clearly and concisely, and get comfortable with awkward silences, especially when you deliver your number for the raise.

Personally, I make sure all my achievements, numbers, and research are written down.

Most businesses should be comfortable with an ad-hoc 7-8% raise, as this aligns with inflation.

Find the mutual ground

There are two people in salary negotiations: employer and employee. Both need to walk away from the meeting feeling understood and valued. I say this because most people go into salary negotiations focused solely on themselves: "I did this, so I deserve a raise" or "The market says I’m worth $10,000 more."

Try this instead: "Remember the time I managed to win us that large variation? It brought us in an extra 1% profit." Sounds better, right?

Sign Off

5 steps to follow when negotiating a higher salary:

1. Research the market rate and take the median earnings—this is the market rate.

2. Come prepared to the salary negotiation meeting.

3. Be comfortable with awkward silences.

4. Don’t pitch too high.

5. Find the mutual ground.

If you need any support with a salary negotiation, feel free to reach out.