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Yet to Decide

Wait for the appraisal or switch jobs? What each month of waiting costs

Waiting for the appraisal feels free. But a raise changes more than this month, because every later raise starts from your new pay.

Facts last checked: October 2026

Why the gap keeps growing

Say two people earn the same today, and one gets a raise a year earlier. From then on, each yearly raise is worked out on a higher number. The gap doesn't stay the same size. It grows a little every year.

What's typical in India

Indian companies expect to raise pay by about 9.1% on average in 2026. Aon salary survey (2026)

In a survey, about 7 in 10 professionals said they'd want a raise of 21% or more to switch jobs. That's what people want before they move, not what everyone gets. Put in the raise you really expect. foundit appraisal survey (2026)

Staying can be the right call

This isn't a push to quit. A good team, learning or a calmer life can be worth more than a raise. The maths only shows what each month of waiting costs, so you can decide on purpose.

One small step for today

Write down the raise you'd ask for and the date you'll ask. Then put that date in your calendar.

Work out your own

Put in your own numbers. They stay on your phone. More on this topic

Your numbers

Common answers are filled in. Change the ones you know.

₹

Typical: ₹60,000. Put in yours.

%

21% is what most people say they'd want before switching, not what they're sure to get. Put in the raise you really expect.

%
months
years
out of 10

It only changes the order on your statement.

What waiting costs you

₹414 a day

Waiting 12 months has cost about ₹1.5 lakh in pay

If a 21% raise is there for you, the gap is ₹12,600 a month, about ₹414 a day. Over the next 5 years it adds up to ₹9.1 lakh, because every later raise starts from the higher pay.

Your small stepWrite down three things you did this year that made a real difference at work. You'll need them for the talk or your CV.

When will you do it?

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How we worked this out
  1. Gap each month: ₹60,000 × 21% = ₹12,600.
  2. The usual yearly raise of 9.1% lifts both paths, so the gap grows by 9.1% each year.
  3. Missed so far: the gap added up over 12 months = ₹1.5 lakh.
  4. Still ahead: the gap added up over the next 60 months = ₹9.1 lakh.
  5. These are rupees before tax, as they'd be paid, and they only count if the raise really comes through.
  6. How much it matters to you: 7 out of 10. It only changes the order on your statement.

Sources

Sources

Read next

Make my Delay Statement

We show what waiting costs on your own plans. We never tell you what to buy or invest in. Rules and averages change, so check the official pages before you plan anything.