What salary increase to ask for in 2025 ? Our advice for negotiating well

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Inflation is slowing, but employees still have high expectations for their increases. Human resources consulting firms have published their forecasts for 2025, and the observation is clear: after two years of strong increases, companies are tightening the screws. However, with the right strategies and solid preparation, you can stand out from the crowd.

Key figures to know before entering into negotiations

The economic context will weigh heavily in salary discussions in 2025. According to Mercer, which surveyed more than 850 French companies, the average budget devoted to increases will reach 3%. A figure that is significantly lower than in previous years: 4.95% in 2023 and 4% in 2024. The LHH firm confirms this trend with a forecast of 2.8%, while PageGroup is more pessimistic, predicting a range of 1.5% to 2%.

This moderation is mainly explained by the slowdown in inflation. The IMF predicts a rate of 1.6% for 2025, far from the 5.2% of 2022. Laurent Blanchard, CEO of PageGroup France, speaks of a “return to a form of normality” after exceptional years. But be careful: only two thirds of employees should benefit from a raise. Companies are now favoring individual rather than collective revaluations.

The sectors that will come out on top

Tech continues to dominate the pay rise rankings. Cybersecurity specialists can expect increases of up to 12%. Artificial intelligence, cloud and data are generating strong demand, with 76,200 executive hires expected by the end of 2024.

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Climate and environmental jobs are also experiencing strong momentum. CSR managers can aim for increases of 8 to 10%. The new European CSRD directive, which came into force in January 2024, is pushing companies to invest massively in these skills. Support functions are not left out: office managers saw their salaries jump by 20.5% in 2024.

On the other hand, some sectors will have to make do with more modest increases. Industrial production is counting on increases of 3 to 5%. Finance jobs, which have benefited from strong revaluations in recent years, will experience a slowdown.

How to maximize your chances of getting a good raise

The first golden rule is to choose your timing carefully. “This is not a discussion to have in a hallway between two doors,” warns Dany El Jallad, vice president of Robert Half. The annual review is generally the ideal time. Sophie de Heer, a consultant at Mercer France, stresses the importance of preparation: “Individual performance remains an essential point for obtaining a significant increase.”

A simple calculation can help you define your request: take the expected inflation rate (1.6% for 2025) and add one point to it. This basis for negotiation corresponds to the practice observed in most companies. But don't stop there: find out about the salaries practiced in your sector. Specialized sites and compensation studies are valuable sources of information.

During the interview, highlight your concrete achievements. Quantify your successes, document your skills development, and don't hesitate to mention the strategic projects you are working on. If you are refused, stay calm and ask for explanations. You can also negotiate other benefits: exceptional bonus, qualifying training, or more flexibility in the organization of work.

• The average increases will be 3% in 2025, but will vary greatly depending on the sector
• Tech and climate professions will offer the best prospects, with increases of up to 12%
• To succeed in your negotiation, prepare numerical arguments and remain open to alternative compensations

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