I say this a bit tongue in cheek because a large Corp doesn't think like this, but did you add more value to the firm in the past year than the first six months? If not, why would you expect to get a raise above inflation? At smaller firms if I had the work record to back it up raises were actually negiotable. Bigger firms not so much. I once worked for a big bank. Before I started outsiders told me 2 "law's" that ended up true. 1) Get paid as much as you can up front because your pay will never change year to year by more than 4%. Starting salary is an anchor with very thick chain. 2) The severence package is awesome than so old timers won't leave voluntarily. Made for a really unhappy workforce. Good times.