Normally price increases due to inflation, it erodes an individual's salary, on the other hand due to practical utilization of individual skill, efficiency increases. Hence most of the companies do give increment annually ranging between 5-10 % of the base. This would obviously depend on the individual performance rating of the individual professional. If the economy / business is not on the growth path this may lead to delays or neglect of increments. However, one way of getting noticed during such times is to take up added responsibilities. During such difficult times cost cutting does come in the picture, but if a position could be eliminated leading to savings for the employer and because of your new position or added responsibility the employer or company should be glad to grant the increase or increment. It could be a win-win situation for both the employer and the employee.