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Your SalaryCheck Report
Generated April 14, 2026 · Report ID RAI-Z8469S
AI-generated. May contain errors. Verify specific numbers, clauses, and recommendations before acting on them.
Below Average
A 4% raise on $85,000 in software engineering in San Francisco sounds okay — but after 3.2% inflation, your real raise is only 0.8%. Market data shows 5-year SWEs in SF getting 6-8% this cycle.
Raise Amount
$3,400
New Salary
$88,400
Inflation Reality Check
After inflation, your $3,400 raise is really worth $680 in purchasing power. You're barely keeping pace.
Industry Comparison
Software engineers with 5 years of experience in the US are seeing median raises of 5.5-7.2% this cycle, with top performers at strong-revenue companies getting 8-10%. Your 4% puts you in the bottom quartile for your experience band. Companies competing for mid-level SWEs in the Bay Area are currently offering 6-8% retention raises to prevent attrition.
Location Factor
San Francisco carries a cost-of-living multiplier of roughly 1.45x vs the national average. A $88,400 salary in SF has the equivalent purchasing power of ~$61,000 in a median-cost US city. For your role and experience, the SF market range is $95,000-$115,000 base, putting your new salary about $7,000-$27,000 below the local midpoint.
Negotiation Tips
- •Lead with market data: 'I've researched that 6-8% is typical for my role and market this year'
- •Quantify your impact: tie the ask to specific revenue or efficiency gains
- •If they can't move on salary, negotiate equity refresh, signing bonus, or extra PTO
- •Ask when the next review cycle is — get a commitment in writing
Your Script — Copy & Send
“Hi [Manager], thanks for the raise — I appreciate it. I want to have an honest conversation about where it lands relative to market. I've done some research and engineers at my level in SF are typically seeing 6-8% this cycle, with the market range for 5-year SWEs at $95K-$115K. My new salary of $88.4K puts me below the 25th percentile for our market. In the past year, I [specific accomplishment — e.g., shipped the auth migration on time, reduced API latency by 40%, mentored two junior engineers]. I'd like to discuss getting to at least $95K, which would bring me to the low end of market. I'm not looking elsewhere — I want to stay and keep building here. But I want to make sure my compensation reflects the work I'm doing and what the market is paying. Can we talk about a path to close that gap, whether through a salary adjustment, equity refresh, or a mid-year review with clear targets?”
Save your report
Generated by SalaryCheck on April 14, 2026 · Report ID RAI-Z8469S
AI output — not professional advice. Verify before acting.
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