You’ve spent months, or maybe years, building your career in a scientific role that demands precision, patience, and problem-solving. Whether you're a clinical researcher, a lab technician, or a scientific project manager, you know your work makes a measurable impact.
But when it comes to asking for a raise, many professionals hesitate. It’s not something you encounter every day. Maybe it feels uncomfortable. Maybe you're unsure if it’s the right time. Or maybe you simply don’t know how to bring it up.
Here’s the good news: asking for a raise is a normal part of professional life. And in scientific industries where specialized skills are in demand and measurable outputs are everywhere, you’re actually in a strong position to advocate for yourself, if you do it right.
Let’s break down how to approach it with confidence and strategy.
1. Start with your impact
Feeling underpaid is one thing. Being able to demonstrate why you deserve more is what matters.
Before you even schedule a conversation, take time to assess your contributions. Compile a list of tangible outcomes and use data when you can. For example, “Reduced sample processing time by 15% over six months” carries more weight than “Worked more efficiently.” If you're in a contract role, include feedback from client teams or hiring managers. These specifics help build a compelling case.
2. Understand your market value
Many scientific professionals work in highly specialized environments where compensation benchmarks aren’t always public knowledge. That's where research (and recruiters) come in.
Look at recent salary surveys in your field. Talk to peers, mentors, and recruiters to get a sense of what professionals with similar experience, education, and certifications are earning. If your compensation is behind, be ready to bring that information into the conversation, but keep it constructive.
It’s not about comparing yourself to others. It’s about understanding what the market values for your skill set and how your compensation lines up.
3. Pick the right time to ask
Timing matters. If you're in the middle of a team-wide crunch or your manager just returned from two weeks of chaos, even the best pitch might fall flat.
The ideal times include:
If you're a contractor or consultant, your contract renewal window is a perfect time to bring it up. It's a natural moment to review scope, expectations, and compensation.
4. Frame the conversation around value
This is one of the most important things you can do.
Make the conversation about what you’re bringing to the table, not just what you want. Avoid emotional language like “I feel I deserve more” and instead focus on outcomes: “Over the past 12 months, I’ve led three major initiatives that improved workflow efficiency and supported two new product launches. I’d like to talk about aligning my compensation with the scope and impact of my work.”
Your manager or client is more likely to respond positively when they understand the business case for your raise. Scientific professionals often underestimate how influential their work is. Don’t make that mistake.
5. Be prepared for “not now”
Sometimes, even a strong case for a raise won’t lead to a yes right away. Budgets might be locked in, organizational changes may be underway, or leadership may need time to assess.
Instead of walking away disappointed, ask for clarity:
We explore this further in our blog on counteroffers: The Counteroffer Conundrum: Let's Be More Transparent.
6. Talk to your recruiter
If you're working with a recruiter or staffing partner, especially in a contract, temporary, or project-based role, you're not alone in this process.
Recruiters can:
At Harba Solutions, we work closely with our scientific professionals to ensure their compensation reflects their value. That includes ongoing conversations about goals, project performance, and when it’s time to revisit pay.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to your recruiter and say, “Hey, can we talk about my current rate?”
7. Know your worth, but stay open
It’s important to walk into a raise conversation with clarity about what you want, but flexibility is also key. You might have a number in mind, but be open to creative solutions.
Maybe the company can’t bump your salary today, but they can offer a performance bonus, expanded responsibilities that open the door to promotion, or priority for future increases. In scientific environments, where career paths are often layered and technical, incremental growth can sometimes lead to bigger gains down the road.
Stay focused on your long-term career trajectory, not just the next paycheck.
8. Practice the conversation
Yes, actually practice it. Say it out loud. Write a script and rehearse it. Have a mock conversation with a trusted colleague, mentor, or your recruiter.
Why? Because clarity and confidence are contagious. When you can communicate your case in a clear, calm, and professional way, you’re more likely to be heard and taken seriously.
Final thoughts
Scientific professionals are uniquely positioned to ask for raises because your value is often measurable. You contribute to innovation, compliance, product development, patient safety, and more. Whether you're on-site at a pharmaceutical company, conducting environmental research, or managing lab operations, your work drives outcomes.
So don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. Do the prep. Choose the right moment. And remember, you don’t have to do it alone.
Ready to talk about it?
Let’s chat. We’ll help you navigate the process and make sure your compensation.
