Difference between "taking into account" and "considering" when used as conjunctions of contrast

@FumbleFingers is, of course, right to point out that there are always likely to be nuances that distinguish the precise meaning of apparently equivalent expressions.

To my ears the difference, in the context quoted, between 'taking into account' and 'considering' is that the latter would be used by the person asking for more money, and the former, as part of the explanation why the amount awarded, if any, was what it was. Consider "I have taken into account that you are the first to arrive and the last to leave the office, but...", but if I were the generous boss that we all wish we had you might hear "Considering that... I am pleased to promote you to ..."

The point is that the expression 'take into account' is a wonderfully vague way of pointing out that some arguably relevant information has not been neglected. It does not mean that the actual decision has in fact been influenced by that information. It is an example of the well known bureaucratic technique of CYA: if you state that something has been taken into account then you cannot be accused of ignoring it, even if its weight with you was negligible.