3 sound strategies for getting a bigger pay rise in 2025

For many women, they stay in a job because their income incrementally increases year-on-year with annual pay rises. But if you actually look at the facts, most companies only provide an average 1-3 percent pay rise per year (in line with inflation). Now, I controversially believe that if your salary only goes up by 1-3 percent, you aren’t getting a pay rise because your pay is just going up with the cost of living, so the extra money you make only buys the same amount! And if you don’t get a pay rise at all… well, perhaps we could even say your company is stealing from you (because you’re getting the same money, but it buys less).

So rather than wait for your annual pay rise in 2025, here’s 3 sound strategies for getting a bigger pay rise this year and earning what you truly deserve. 

1. Write down your dream salary / rate

It seems sooo simple but there's some magic that happens when you actually write down your goal income. It's not rocket science - I just ask my Leading Successful Change members what salary or pay rate they want and get them to trust their unconscious mind (they might see, hear or feel a number). Then I make sure they write down the first figure that comes up ASAP, even if it sounds pie in the sky! Writing it down gives the goal a 3D reality, instead of being airy-fairy up in your head. It also creates a clear symbol for your unconscious mind to track to. And clear filters for your job search. Don't overthink it, just write it down and sit on it for a few days. Get creative and courageous and think outside the box of what you believe is possible. Birth it into the world - this is you asking the universe for what you want, rather than letting someone else set the standard.

2. Change jobs or careers

The sad truth is that the likelihood of getting a significant, rather than incremental, pay rise in your current company is low. Even if you change jobs within the company to a higher-paying role, I know of many instances where the person was still short-changed to start at the very bottom of that new pay band, or potentially even earn less than what others are getting. So changing jobs or careers is where I love helping my Leading Successful Change members shine. Changing jobs - working in the same field but a different role in a different company - has been very lucrative for me. Multiple times, I've gotten pay rises of $15,000-$20,000. Sometimes choosing a new career that is higher-paid has done it, like when I moved from Marketing to Change Management and tripled my salary in 3 years to almost $200,000. The important thing here is that you're finding the new role externally. Why? Because you'll recalibrate against the market, instead of what you're currently being paid internally. Your company has been paying you for several months or even years to deliver a certain level of quality. They are used to you being worth that amount. But the open market isn’t. Remember - you might be worth more than you believe, and maybe even more than your current employer believes. 

3. Change your employment type

The No. 1 biggest factor in my pay increasing so quickly was to change my employment type. I went from being a "Permanent" (full-time/part-time) to being a "Contractor". And in doing so, I doubled my income. IN ONE MOVE! When I changed careers from Marketing to Change Management I got a $20,000 pay rise because I recalibrated what I was worth against the open market. But it was when I moved to day rate contracting that the real increase happened and I made almost $100,000 more simply by changing my employment type. Now, contracting isn't for everyone and it isn't available in every industry (so you might want to change careers to one that does, like Change Management). There are other considerations and benefits you might lose and you need to do the sums for yourself. But for me personally, the pay, freedom and flexibility of contracting has been the biggest game-changer in growing my overall income and net worth. And if you’re already contracting and wondering how to increase, perhaps it’s time to think about consulting and give yourself your own pay rise (I tripled my day rate overnight when I started my consultancy Passion Pioneers).

Salary is like the fund of your dreams. Money doesn't make you happy, but it does give you more choices and the ability to choose and do what is important to you - financial security for your family, travelling, buying an amazing home in the area you love, maybe working part-time, starting a business, or retiring early. All of these things require a resource - and that resource is money. Money smooths the way and opens up choice. And since we're living longer, earning more now means you may have more to retire on and see you through the golden years you deserve. Thank you, compounding interest!

So don’t shy away from aiming for a bigger pay rise this year.

If you’d like my help building the confidence to get the pay rise you dream of and deserve, come to my free Underpaid and Overlooked Workshop kicking off next week on Monday 10 February:

Register your free spot on next week’s Underpaid and Overlooked Workshop

All my belief, 

Lata xx