That brings up another interesting tactic that I’ve used. At one job that I was working contract to perm, when it was time for me to be made permanent, there was a hard cap on what they would pay me. I knew I would be leaving in a year anyway, so I asked for a title of “lead software architect”. The entire department of permanent developers was three people. I then used the title to apply for jobs making more.

In other words, even if you can’t get the raise you want, negotiate a title change. Companies generally don’t mind throwing around BS titles to make their employees feel good.