How the salary raise calculator works
The raise percentage compares the increase with your current salary. Because future raises are usually a percentage of your salary, today's raise also increases every future raise, which is why it compounds.
Cumulative extra = Σ (New − Current) × (1 + g)year
The cumulative figure shows how much more you earn over the period compared with staying at the old salary, assuming both paths would get the same yearly raises. A higher salary also raises percentage-based 401(k) contributions and employer matches. Amounts are before tax.
Worked example
Going from $70,000 to $75,000 is a 7.14% raise: $416.67 more a month, or $192.31 per biweekly paycheck before tax. With 3% raises each year afterwards, the gap grows, and over 5 years you earn about $26,546 more than you would have.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a raise percentage?
Subtract the old salary from the new one, divide by the old salary and multiply by 100.
What is a typical raise?
US salary budgets have run around 3% to 4% a year recently; promotions often bring 10% or more.
How much of my raise will I take home?
It is taxed at your marginal rate. Use the income tax calculator to see the after-tax change.
Why is a raise worth more than it looks?
Future percentage raises apply to the higher base, and retirement contributions rise with it.
Updated October 2026. Results are estimates for education, not financial or medical advice. All math runs in your browser; nothing you type is sent anywhere.