3% 5% 10% Pay Raise Calculator 2026

How this calculation works

A pay raise is measured two ways: the dollar difference and the percentage increase relative to your prior salary. The percentage matters for comparison.

When evaluating an offer or annual review, compare the raise against current US inflation. A raise below inflation is effectively a pay cut in real purchasing power.

How this 3% 5% 10% Pay Raise Calculator works — 2026 guide

A 3% pay raise is the most common US annual increase, but most people never check what it actually adds in dollars. This 2026 pay raise calculator compares your old and new salary side by side — showing the raise amount, the percentage increase, and the annualized dollar impact across weekly, biweekly, and monthly pay periods. Whether your bump is 3%, 5%, or 10%, you'll see the real annual gain in seconds.

How to use it in 3 steps

1. Enter your current (old) salary or hourly rate.
2. Enter the new salary or the raise percentage (3%, 5%, 10%, or any custom number).
3. Read the dollar difference, percentage increase, and the new annual, monthly, and biweekly pay.

Who this is for

Employees weighing a raise or job offer against inflation, and managers building a counter-offer. Pair it with our [take-home pay estimator](/tools/take-home-pay-estimator/) to see the after-tax effect, or the [3 vs 5 vs 10 percent raise guide](/blog/3-vs-5-vs-10-percent-pay-raise-net-annual-impact-2026/) for the full breakdown.

Data sources & authoritative references

This calculator is built on official U.S. rules and published statistics. Key sources:

• BLS — Consumer Price Index (inflation benchmarks for raises)
• BLS — Employment Cost Index (wage growth benchmarks)