Commission gets all the attention, but base salary is guaranteed money. Here is how to get more of it.
When to Ask
- Annual review cycle (obvious but important)
- After promotion or role change
- When taking on additional responsibilities
- When you have competing offers
- After significant company success you contributed to
Build Your Case
- Market data: What do similar roles pay elsewhere?
- Performance: Your track record of hitting/exceeding quota
- Scope creep: Are you doing more than your job description?
- Tenure: How long without a base increase?
The Conversation
- Schedule dedicated time (not end of 1:1)
- Lead with your contributions and results
- Present market data professionally
- Give a specific number, not a range
- Be prepared to negotiate or wait
💡 Pro tip
If they say no to base, ask what you would need to demonstrate to get there. Get specific criteria and timeline.
Bottom Line
Base increases are harder to get than commission bumps, but they compound over time. Worth the ask.
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