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Is a 3% raise good?

Updated

A 3% raise is a little under average: employers plan 3.5% for 2027. It is under inflation: prices rose 3.7% in the 12 months to September 2026, so it buys 0.7% less. It is a good raise only if your pay is already at or above the median for your job and city.

3% in dollars

A 3% raise on common salaries
SalaryPer yearPer month
$50,000$1,500$125
$75,000$2,250$188
$100,000$3,000$250

3% compared with

What to compare a raise with
BenchmarkRateSource
Employers' 2027 raise budgets3.5%Mercer, Payscale, Conference Board, Salary.com
Inflation, 12 months to September 20263.7%BLS, CPI-U
Pay growth of people who changed jobs4.7%Atlanta Fed, September 2026

When 3% is fine, and when it isn't

  • Fine: your pay is at or above the median for your job and city, and your job didn't change.
  • Not enough: your pay is below the median. The gap is your number.
  • Not enough: you took on more scope, people or results. Ask for 5 to 10%, or a new title.

What to say

Thank you. Before we settle it: the median for my job in [city] is $[median] (BLS), and prices rose 3.7% over the past 12 months. Could we look at $[your number]?

See where your pay stands for your job and city. Takes 30 seconds. Free, no sign-up.

Check my pay

Questions

Is 3% a normal raise?

Close to it. Employers plan 3.5% on average for 2027, and merit budgets are 3.0 to 3.2%. Some people get more, some less.

Is a 3% raise a pay cut?

In buying power, yes, by about 0.7%: prices rose 3.7% in the 12 months to September 2026.

Sources