How big a salary jump when switching?

In short: A 10–20% increase is often realistic when switching IT jobs — more if you also move up a level, bring a scarce specialization or are coming from an underpaid setup. Internal raises rarely keep pace, but make sure role and responsibility match the new salary and judge the total package, not just the percentage.

The rule of thumb

When changing jobs in IT, 10–20% more is often realistic, and even more for highly sought-after skills or a jump to the next level. Internal raises are usually well below that — which is exactly why switching pays off.

When more is possible

• You also move up a level (e.g. Mid → Senior).
• You bring a scarce specialization (Cloud, Security, Data).
• You're coming from an underpaid setup (then the jump is bigger, but measured against the market).

When to be careful

A very large jump can create expectations you have to meet from day one. Make sure the role and responsibility match the new salary — otherwise the pressure quickly becomes unpleasant.

More than the percentage

Calculate the total package: commute time, home office, learning culture, team. A slightly smaller jump into an environment that lets you grow is often worth more than the maximum base salary.

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