Background - I'm a mid-career engineer. When I travel for work I switch from salary to hourly, and I can earn overtime pay. I travel about 2-3 months out of the year, and usually work 12 hour days, 7 days a week when I'm on the road. So the overtime adds up.

A senior guy on our team just announced he is retiring next year. He has unique responsibilities and does a specific task for us full-time. I'm the only person on the team with the skill set needed to fill his role. My manager has told me that the position is mine if I want it. If I switch over to this new role, I'd have to give up the travel and the associated overtime. I looked back over the last ten years, and I'm averaging the equivalent of a 35% raise in overtime pay. I don't want to take that pay cut.

So, what is a reasonable request? I don't think I can ask for a 35% raise, since that would put me out of the pay scale for my level. I'm already at the top level for my job description so a promotion isn't an option either. A 20% raise would put me close to the top of the pay scale. Is it unreasonable to ask to be moved to the top of the pay scale? I think my manager wouldn't push back, but HR is another story. I'm not really worried about a "no" answer. I'm happy to keep doing what I'm doing. But if I can get a decent raise and cut down on travel, that wouldn't be bad either. What do you all think? TIA.