How to Negotiate Your Salary
Get paid what you're worth with data-backed strategies
Most people leave $5,000-$10,000 on the table by not negotiating. Our Salary Negotiation Coach gives you market-rate data, negotiation scripts, and strategies personalized to your specific situation — so you negotiate from a position of strength.
Step-by-Step Guide
Open the Salary Coach from the sidebar
Navigate to 'Salary Coach' in the Tools section. You'll need your job title, target company (optional), location, and years of experience.
Enter your job details
Provide the job title, company, and location. The coach uses this to research market rates for your specific role and area. More specific information gives more accurate results.
Review market salary ranges
You'll see salary ranges broken into percentiles: 25th (below average), 50th (median), 75th (above average), and 90th (top earners). This gives you a realistic range to negotiate within.
Get your negotiation script
The coach generates word-for-word scripts for different scenarios: initial offer response, counter-offer, and handling pushback. These are written to sound natural and confident, not aggressive.
Prepare for common objections
Employers often say things like 'This is the best we can offer' or 'We have a fixed pay band.' The coach gives you specific responses for each common objection.
Practice your delivery
Read the scripts aloud until they feel natural. Confidence comes from preparation. Practice the counter-offer conversation with a friend if possible.
Pro Tips
- ✓Never accept the first offer. Even a simple 'Is there flexibility on compensation?' can get you 5-15% more.
- ✓Negotiate over email first if phone conversations make you nervous — it gives you time to craft responses.
- ✓Consider the total package: salary, bonus, equity, PTO, remote work, and professional development budget.
- ✓Use specific numbers, not ranges. Saying 'I'm looking for $95,000' is stronger than '$85,000-$100,000.'
- ✓Time your negotiation after receiving a written offer, not during the interview process.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start negotiating?
Wait until you have a written offer. During interviews, if asked about salary expectations, deflect with 'I'd like to learn more about the full role and compensation package.' Once you have the offer in writing, that's your negotiation starting point.
What if they say the salary is non-negotiable?
Even when the base salary is truly fixed (some government and union jobs), you can usually negotiate other things: signing bonus, start date, remote work days, professional development budget, title, or accelerated review schedule.
How much more should I ask for?
A good rule of thumb is to counter 10-20% above the initial offer, depending on how it compares to market rates. If the offer is already at the 75th percentile for your role and location, a 5-10% counter is more realistic.
Will negotiating make them rescind the offer?
Virtually never. In decades of hiring research, offers are almost never rescinded because a candidate negotiated professionally. Employers expect negotiation — it's a normal part of the process.