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The decision to ask for a raise has never felt more complex. On one hand, inflation continues to erode the purchasing power of salaries, with the U.S. inflation rate still hovering above historical norms. On the other, many companies are balancing tighter budgets, cautious hiring, and uncertainty in global markets. Despite these pressures, wages in many industries have risen steadily since the pandemic, as employers compete for talent and aim to retain experienced workers.
