The detailed guide below is currently available in English.
What a raise is really worth
A percentage raise compounds on your whole wage, while a flat “new amount” offer can be checked against the increase it truly represents. Comparing the monthly difference to your budget is the honest test: it tells you whether the raise covers rising rent, speeds up debt payoff, or mostly disappears into payroll deductions. Remember that gross pay grows faster than take-home — federal, state, and payroll taxes all take a slice of the increase.
Negotiating with the numbers
Walking into a review with figures beats walking in with feelings. Check what the same role pays elsewhere, decide on a target percentage, and know your walk-away point. A 3–5% raise is a typical merit increase in steady years; switching jobs often moves pay 10–20%. If the budget truly cannot stretch, the same math applies to extra vacation days, a signing bonus, or a title that sets up the next jump.
Repères pour la France
Les principaux repères locaux à connaître pour les calculs financiers en France – ils diffèrent nettement des normes américaines :
- TVA: Taux normal 20 %, intermédiaire 10 %, réduit 5,5 %, particulier 2,1 %. Les prix affichés sont toujours TTC (toutes taxes comprises).
- Impôt sur le revenu (barème 2025): Barème progressif par part : 0 % jusqu'à 11 497 €, puis 11 %, 30 %, 41 % et 45 % au-delà de 180 294 €, avec décote sous 19 174 € (célibataire).
- Cotisations sociales: Part salariale ≈ 22 % du brut (sécurité sociale, retraite, chômage) ; un salaire net correspond à environ 78 % du brut.
- SMIC 2025: 1 801,80 € brut par mois (≈ 1 426 € net) sur la base de 35 heures hebdomadaires.
- Pourboire: Le service est compris dans les prix en café-restaurant depuis 1982 ; arrondir l'addition reste un geste apprécié, sans obligation.
Mis à jour : octobre 2026 · valeurs 2025, sources officielles ci-dessus.
Questions fréquentes
Why does the calculator use 2,080 hours?
It is the standard full-time year: 40 hours a week for 52 weeks. If you work different hours, divide your own annual hours into the salary for a closer hourly figure.
Is the new salary before or after tax?
All figures are gross — before taxes and deductions. Use the take-home pay calculator to see how much of the raise actually reaches your bank account.
How much raise should I ask for?
Aim for a number backed by market data for your role and location. High inflation years push the bar up, since a raise below inflation is effectively a pay cut in buying power.