Increases & Changes
Promotion increase
Also called: promo bump, promotion bump
A pay adjustment given when an employee moves to a higher level or pay grade.
Promotion increases are pay adjustments awarded when an employee moves to a higher level. They're separate from and typically larger than merit increases — a promotion isn't a reward for sustained performance, it's a recognition of expanded scope and a re-anchoring of pay to a new market.
Typical promotion-increase ranges:
- Lateral level change (M3 → M4, similar scope): 5–10%
- Standard promotion (e.g., Senior to Staff): 10–15%
- Material scope expansion (IC to manager, manager to director): 15–25%
The new pay should land somewhere in the new range — typically near the bottom for emerging-into-the-role employees, near the midpoint for ready-now promotions. Surveys help calibrate the right pay landing spot for each level.