Sounds obvious to me. Negotiate something better. If they can't provide it, then find something different. > I'm actually a Software Engineer and am way overqu

Sounds obvious to me. Negotiate something better. If they can't provide it, then find something different. > I'm actually a Software Engineer and am way overqualified for this position. I think this is a myth. Nobody is ever overqualified for the position they are in. Getting where you want to be in life requires X skills (which includes way more than just tech) and circumstances. Your mix got you right where you are at. You are exactly qualified for your situation. Also, no matter what your skills, you will never be so highly skilled that you master people and life. Perhaps your issue is that your skill base isn't well enough balanced. Maybe you need to spend less time bolstering your tech skills and more time on bolstering your people skills. > How can I word my reply in such a way to make it sound like I'm very interested, and really want my career to progress, but I also expect (deserve?) a pay rise. Pour a 40 for careers, they are dead. Personally, I would probably walk. Negotiate your way out the door to see if they are willing to give you a substantial raise. If they aren't willing, then the value simply isn't there. Bottom line, if you are making the company money, they will go a certain distance to keep you. If you want to be making more money, then you need to be looking for a gig where the value is greater. If you are afraid you can't get another gig, then you should probably start looking real hard at fixing that. There are a lot of places which provide remote gigs. Start looking around at what's out there and start connecting with people. Don't think too linearly though. You haven't had a raise for 2 years, you would be moving to 85% and lots of other people have already walked. It appears to me that you aren't going to be making much more money either way. If you dig the job, you are itching for the new position, and the money is okay, then take it. ETA: Disclaimer, I'm a freelancer, so moving from one project to another is normal for me. My advice might not be so great for you. ;)