Comment by HeyLaughingBoy

> HR will make it seem like a rule, but if you do spectacular work - you can always negotiate.

Every single developer should take this to heart. The phrase I once used at the end of an annual review was, "you can't give me a review like that but a raise like this!"

Yes, my manager had to get permission to give me the % increase I wanted, but it was to his benefit to do it since he wanted me to stay.