Whether you’re an employee preparing to request a well-deserved raise—or an HR manager or employer granting one—a salary increase letter helps formalize and clarify the discussion. It communicates expectations, achievements, and compensation changes in writing, avoiding misunderstandings and providing a clear record.
To support both professionals and organizations, we’ve gathered 42+ free salary increase letter templates in Microsoft Word format—plus practical guidance on how to write or respond to raise requests effectively.
✔️ What Is a Salary Increase Letter?
A salary increase letter is a formal document used to:
🔹 Request a raise from your employer (from the employee side)
🔹 Grant an employee a raise (from the employer or HR side)
🔹 Outline the amount, justification, and effective date of the raise
🔹 Serve as documentation for payroll, compliance, or performance records
This simple letter can be a powerful tool in career development or organizational communication.
✔️ Why Use a Salary Increase Letter Template?
✅ Saves time and ensures professionalism
✅ Offers structure and clarity in sensitive conversations
✅ Makes your case with clear justification
✅ Helps HR record and approve pay adjustments
✅ Supports fair and transparent compensation practices
Whether you’re making the request or approving it, the templates are designed to guide the tone and content in a professional, respectful way.
✔️ What’s Included in the 42+ Template Collection?
Our comprehensive collection includes templates for every possible scenario:
📝 Word Templates Cover:
For Employees Requesting a Raise:
- Based on performance or achievements
- After a successful project or milestone
- Following a positive performance review
- Due to cost-of-living adjustments
- Role expansion or added responsibilities
- Comparison to market salary benchmarks
- After a long period without a raise
For Employers/HR Granting a Raise:
- Merit-based salary increase letters
- Promotion-related pay increases
- Annual review adjustments
- Retention-based raise offers
- Salary matching for counteroffers
Each template is written in a clean, editable Word format, ready to personalize and send.
✔️ Key Sections in a Salary Increase Letter
- ✅ Date and contact information
- ✅ Subject line (e.g., “Request for Salary Increase”)
- ✅ Introduction with purpose
- ✅ Justification or reason for the raise
- ✅ Specific request amount or percentage (if applicable)
- ✅ Supporting achievements or data
- ✅ Closing message and next steps
- ✅ Signature and contact info
For HR use, it may also include approval confirmations and effective salary start date.
✔️ Who Can Use These Templates?
☑️ Employees – To prepare a respectful and convincing raise request
☑️ Managers & Supervisors – To recommend or support team member increases
☑️ HR Professionals – For official pay adjustment notifications
☑️ Startups & Small Businesses – To maintain professionalism and consistency
☑️ Remote Teams – To handle raise requests transparently across time zones
✔️ Tips for Writing a Raise Request Letter
✅ Be polite and direct
✅ Focus on your achievements and contributions
✅ Use facts and numbers to support your case
✅ Show awareness of company goals and timing
✅ Avoid emotional language—stay professional
✅ Be open to discussion, not demanding
For employers: Make the tone appreciative and clear. Reinforce the value the employee brings, and specify the reason behind the raise.
➡️ Download and Handle Salary Talks With Confidence
Whether you’re requesting a raise or approving one, these 42+ free salary increase letter templates give you the clarity, structure, and tone you need for success. Take the guesswork out of salary discussions and create a transparent, confident path forward.
👉 Download now and write with purpose.
Ask clearly. Approve professionally. Grow together.