How Much Salary Hike Should You Ask for When Changing Jobs in 2025?

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When considering a job change, one of the most important factors to consider is the salary hike. Asking for the right salary increase ensures that you’re compensated fairly for your experience, skills, and the market demand for your role. Here’s a detailed guide on how much salary hike you should consider when changing jobs in 2025.

Factors to Consider Before Asking for a Salary Hike

Before deciding on a specific percentage, it’s important to evaluate these key factors:

Your Current Salary: Consider your existing compensation. If you’re underpaid compared to industry standards, you should ask for a higher increase.
Industry Standards: Understand the typical salary hike for your role and experience level in your specific industry.
Skills and Experience: If you possess rare, in-demand skills like AI, cloud computing, or cybersecurity expertise, you can justify a higher salary request.
Company’s Salary Policy: Research the salary structure of the company you’re applying to. Some companies have rigid salary bands, while others are more flexible.

Expected Salary Hike Based on Job Role

The percentage increase you should ask for varies by role. Here’s a breakdown based on common IT roles:

Job Role	Expected Salary Hike (%)	Reason for Increase	Salary Range (INR per annum)
Software Engineers	15-25%	Demand for skilled developers, proficiency in programming languages like Python and Java, and expertise in agile methodologies.	6-15 Lakh
Data Scientists	20-30%	High demand for professionals with advanced knowledge in machine learning, AI, and data analytics tools.	8-25 Lakh
Cybersecurity Professionals	25-40%	Significant shortage of cybersecurity talent due to increasing cyber threats, making this a high-demand role.	8-18 Lakh
Cloud Engineers	18-30%	Companies investing heavily in cloud technology platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure create strong demand for skilled professionals.	9-20 Lakh
AI/ML Engineers	20-35%	Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are rapidly evolving fields, with high demand for experts in deep learning and NLP.	12-30 Lakh
DevOps Engineers	15-20%	Companies adopting DevOps practices require professionals skilled in automation, cloud platforms, and containerization.	7-16 Lakh
Software Architects	20-30%	Experienced architects with skills in system design, microservices, and cloud architecture can command high salary hikes.	15-40 Lakh
IT Project Managers	10-20%	Project managers with expertise in Agile, Scrum, and leadership skills in handling large-scale IT projects are in demand.	12-25 Lakh
UI/UX Designers	10-15%	With the increasing importance of user-centered design, professionals with expertise in UI/UX tools are highly sought after.	6-18 Lakh

How to Justify Your Salary Hike Request

When negotiating your salary hike, it’s essential to present your case effectively. Here are some strategies to help justify your request:

Highlight Your Achievements: Showcase how your skills have contributed to your current company’s success, such as driving revenue growth, improving efficiencies, or leading successful projects.
Skills and Certifications: If you have gained additional skills or certifications (like AWS certifications or Agile training), emphasize how these increase your value.
Market Research: Provide data on the salary trends for your role in the industry and your geographical region to demonstrate that your request is in line with market standards.
Demand and Supply Gap: If your role is in high demand, make sure to explain how your specific expertise fits within the gap of supply versus demand.

Regional Differences in Salary Expectations

Salary expectations can vary by location, so it’s essential to research the typical salary hikes in different cities:

Bangalore: As the tech hub of India, salaries here are typically the highest. You can expect to ask for a hike of 15-30%, depending on your role and experience.
Hyderabad and Pune: These cities are also major IT hubs, but the cost of living is lower, so salary hikes may range from 10-25% for most roles.
Delhi NCR: The capital region has high-paying opportunities, but the competition is intense. Salary hikes of 10-20% are common.

10 Tips for Negotiating a Higher Salary Hike

Negotiating a higher salary hike when changing jobs or during a performance review can be challenging, but it’s essential for ensuring that your compensation reflects your skills and market value. Here are 10 practical tips to help you successfully negotiate a higher salary hike in 2025:

1. Do Thorough Market Research

Before entering negotiations, research the average salary for your role in the market. Consider location, industry, and company size. Websites like Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and PayScale can give you valuable insights into salary benchmarks.

2. Highlight Your Achievements and Value

Showcase the impact you’ve made in your current role. Provide concrete examples of how you’ve contributed to company success—whether through revenue growth, project delivery, or efficiency improvements. Highlight how these contributions make you worth the increased salary.

3. Emphasize Your Skills and Certifications

If you have specialized skills or certifications (e.g., AWS, cybersecurity, or AI/ML), be sure to emphasize them. The more in-demand your skills are, the higher your salary expectations should be. Certifications show a commitment to professional development and can justify a higher pay range.

4. Understand the Company’s Budget and Salary Bands

Before negotiating, research the company’s salary structure and budget. Understanding where your role fits within their compensation model can help you make a more informed request. If the company has strict salary bands, be prepared to negotiate other benefits like bonuses or stock options.

5. Focus on the Long-Term Growth Potential

Instead of just focusing on a one-time salary increase, consider the long-term growth potential. Explain how your role and your skills will evolve within the company and how your compensation should reflect your career trajectory over time.

6. Practice Your Negotiation Skills

Confidence plays a big role in successful salary negotiations. Practice your pitch and anticipate possible objections. Role-playing with a friend or mentor can help you improve your communication and presentation skills, ensuring you come across as assertive and prepared.

7. Know When to Walk Away

Be prepared to walk away if the offer doesn’t meet your expectations. If the company can’t match your salary expectations but offers other perks like flexible work hours or extra vacation, decide what’s most important for you. Don’t be afraid to turn down an offer that doesn’t meet your needs.

8. Be Flexible with Your Requests

If the employer is unwilling to meet your salary demands, be open to negotiating other benefits, such as a signing bonus, stock options, more vacation days, or a work-from-home option. Sometimes non-monetary benefits can make up for a lower salary.

9. Timing is Key

Choosing the right time to negotiate is crucial. If you’re switching jobs, it’s ideal to bring up salary discussions after receiving a job offer, but before you sign the contract. If you’re negotiating within your current company, timing it during a performance review or after a successful project will strengthen your case.

10. Be Professional and Positive

Salary negotiations can be a delicate process, so approach the conversation with professionalism and positivity. Keep the tone respectful and focus on explaining why you’re worth the salary you’re asking for, rather than comparing your current job or salary to others in a negative light.

When changing jobs in 2025, you should ask for a salary hike that reflects your skills, experience, and the role’s demand in the market. As a general rule, a hike of 15-30% is reasonable for most professionals, but certain roles, like cybersecurity or AI/ML, can justify asking for a 25-40% increase. With the right approach, you can ensure that your job change is both financially rewarding and aligned with industry standards.