How to Answer, ‘What's Your Expected Salary?’ (2024)

How to Answer, ‘What's Your Expected Salary?’ (1)

Research the market and salary trends

Consider giving a salary range, not a number

Diplomatically turn the question around

Now it’s time to give a number, not a range

The job interview is going as you’d hoped. You meet the required qualifications, you have a rapport with the interviewers, and those practice sessions you and a friend ran through helped you present smoothly and confidently. You’re confident that you have a real shot at landing this job.

Then you hear that awkward question: “What’s your expected salary?”

Many job candidates dread this question about salary requirements. There’s the worry that, if you lowball a figure, you’re leaving money on the table. But if you give a number that’s too high, you might price yourself out of consideration for the role. No matter where you are in your career, that’s a tough calculation.

The good news is that when you are discussing compensation expectations during the hiring process, there are strategies for giving figures that will be fair to you and within the employer’s budget, too. Timing, tact and research are all key to your success when discussing money with a potential employer.

Here’s what to do:

How to Answer, ‘What's Your Expected Salary?’ (2)

No matter what type of position you are seeking, or at what level, the job interview is your opportunity to convince the hiring manager that you deserve top dollar. At the close of the interview, you want the prospective employer to be thinking, “That’s who I want to hire. Now, how can I get them to join our team?”

Compensation expectations might well come up during the first formal interview — or even during the initial phone vetting. That’s why you should start preparing your “expected salary” answer the moment you apply for the job. And that means you need to do your homework.

One thing going in your favor is that 83% of respondents to a recent Robert Half survey said their companies include compensation information or salary ranges in job postings, with 63% of those who do post salary information saying that it helps attract qualified candidates. So in many cases, a starting point for your research may already have been provided by your potential employer.

Check out reputable sources such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for federal data on wages in your industry. Also, review the most recentSalary Guide From Robert Halfto get the average national salary for the position you’re seeking. You can use our Salary Calculator featured in the guide to customize the figure for your market.

How to Answer, ‘What's Your Expected Salary?’ (3)

Job seekers should avoid asking about salary when submitting their application materials or even during an initial phone vetting. Raising the topic of money too early sends the message that you’re more interested in the paycheck than the position.

But that doesn’t mean the employer won’t ask about salary requirements during the initial contact.

If a job post asks applicants to state their expected salary when applying for the position, then give a range — not a specific figure — you’re comfortable with. Answers like“Negotiable”might work, but they can also make you look evasive. If you’ve done your homework, you’ll know what a fair salary range will look like.

Should the question of compensation come up during you first interaction with a hiring manager, you can still give a range — and hedge it even a bit more:

"From what I know about the position, I think somewhere in the area of $XX – $XX.”

That kind of phrasing shows flexibility, which employers appreciate. It also leaves room to adjust the figures, if you think it’s necessary, once you’ve learned more about the job and the employer’s expectations for the new hire.

How to Answer, ‘What's Your Expected Salary?’ (4)

When it’s still early in the hiring process, there’s nothing coy about hedging with a salary range, as discussed above. An employer who asks about an expected salary before discussing the job in detail can’t demand a more definite answer.

But at this early stage, you also have an opportunity to turn the question around. Whether salary requirements come up during a phone vetting or at the start of your firstvideo interviewwith the employer, you can smile and say:

“I’d like to learn more about the position and the duties, and what the team’s like, before discussing money. But may I ask what salary range you’re considering for this position?”

Delivered politely, you’ll demonstrate that your priority is learning whether the role is really what you’re looking for — which every employer will respect. And your deft invitation to share the budgeted salary range will be difficult to resist.

If the employer’s salary range is in the area you were considering, or even higher, thank them for sharing the information and confirm that the figure’s in your ballpark. If it’s a little less, say it’s at the lower end of what you were hoping for, but you’d still like to talk about the job.

Why do that? Even in a challenging job market, you’ll find some companies are prepared to offer better pay to hire top talent.

Demonstrate you have just what the employer is looking for, and you’ll likely be able to negotiate a salary figure to your liking as you hammer out the details of the job offer. Recent Robert Half research found that 39% of survey respondents said they’d seen an increase in candidates negotiating salary over the past year, with 40 percent saying they saw about the same amount of candidates negotiating. Only 20 percent reported seeing fewer candidates negotiate salaries.

If the employer is starting at a much lower range than your desired compensation, then say so and ask whether the figures would be adjusted for the right hire. Don’t waste your time or the employer’s if it’s clear from the start that you won’t reach an agreement on salary.

GET YOUR FREE SALARY GUIDE

How to Answer, ‘What's Your Expected Salary?’ (5)

At some point, you have to commit. By thesecond interview(or certainly thethird interview, if the process lasts that long), you’ve likely learned what you need to know about the job and how success will be measured, you’ve met team members, and you’ve shared the salary range you were considering — or the employer has shared the figure they’ve budgeted for the position. The candidate’s compensation expectations, and whether the employer can meet them, remain the only major unsettled questions. So, when an employer now asks you to give your expected salary, you have to be ready to give a number, not a range.Factor in all you’ve learned during your research and the interview process as you consider how to answer the salary expectation question. Are the responsibilities and the stress level about what you expected when you applied for the position? Will you manage people or processes the original job posting didn’t mention? Perhaps most importantly, whatemployee benefits, perks and bonus opportunitieswill be included in the compensation package. Robert Half research found that 47% of survey respondents said they're seeing candidates negotiate both salary and non-salary perks such as increased time off and remote work options.

Any and all of that information should help you arrive at a salary figure that you think is fair and will be acceptable to the employer. You may have had to tip your hand when salary requirements first came up, but that doesn’t mean you’re committed to the range you originally gave. Phrase your answer by citing,briefly, the points you think are salient to compensation expectations. Even better if you can frame it in a positive manner. For example:

"Given the responsibilities of the position and the number of people I’d be managing, I think $XX is a fair figure. It’s an exciting opportunity, and I truly believe I’m the person for the job."

"I’m really excited by the challenges you described! $XX seems like the right starting salary. There’s a lot to take on, and I’m confident I’d succeed in the role."

"I’m thinking $XX. This is a big job — one I’m very familiar with and well suited for. I led a similar team at my past employer, and we hit all the goals we were charged with. I’d be very excited to take on another challenge like this!"

"I remember the salary range you gave me earlier, and I respect the fact that you have to work within a budget. But I’d like to suggest $XX as the starting salary. The responsibilities of this role are quite demanding, and as we’ve both said, I have all the necessary skills and training. I believe I can deliver the results you said you’re looking for."

Keep it positive and friendly. Be confident and polite. And above all …

How to Answer, ‘What's Your Expected Salary?’ (6)

Never misrepresent your experience, your training or the impact you’ve had at your current or previous job. Don’t do it on your resume or in yourcover letter, during interviews, or when discussing salary requirements. The truth is bound to come out — maybe during your reference checks, maybe during a skills test, or maybe once the employer sees how you perform at the new job. At some point, itwillcome out.

The same is true about your current or past salary. It’s best to always direct the conversation to your skills and the value you’d bring to the role, not what you’ve been paid at other jobs. However, if you are asked about your current salary, be honest. Discovery that you inflated the numbers might lead to the loss of the job offer.

How to Answer, ‘What's Your Expected Salary?’ (7)

The employer made the offer, and the salary meets or comes close to your compensation expectations. What now? Thank the hiring manager and ask for a day or two to mull things over, if you feel you need the time.

If you decide to take the job, express your enthusiasm and talk about the start date. Then ask for a formal, written offer so you can make sure everything that you’ve discussed, from job description and pay to perks and benefits, is correct. Don’t risk any misunderstandings about your agreement. And don’tgive noticeat your current job until you’ve signed and returned that written offer.

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How to Answer, ‘What's Your Expected Salary?’ (11)

FAQs

How to Answer, ‘What's Your Expected Salary?’? ›

Example answers

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What is your expected salary's best answer? ›

Sample Answer:

Considering my level of experience and the responsibilities associated with the position, I would anticipate a salary range of [insert range]. However, I am also interested in the overall compensation package, which includes benefits, bonuses, and opportunities for growth.

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How do you respond to salary expectations question? ›

Give a salary range

And by giving any numbers at all, you're “voicing the value you bring to the table,” Crawford says. Showing that you've done your research and you know what you're worth tells an interviewer that you're serious about your skills and what you can bring to their company.

How do you answer salary expectations number? ›

Here are examples of what you could say:

“I'm looking for something in the $85,000 to $100,000 range, but this could change based on what I learn about the role."
“I believe an annual salary between $70,000 and $80,000 reflects my skills and experience level. However, I'm flexible and open to hearing your budget.”

Jun 23, 2023

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How to answer current salary? ›

When you decide to answer

Inquire about their reasoning. After sharing your salary, you may want to ask an employer why they would like to know this information. ...
Emphasize any promotions. If you received a pay increase at your current job, make this evident. ...
Discuss your goals. ...
Do your research.

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How do you politely say the salary is too low? ›

I'm really excited about the company and the role. I want to be upfront with you that the salary is lower than I was expecting based on my skills and experience. I'd like to be at a number more like $X. I'm really interested in this opportunity and would love to make this work with you.”

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How to politely ask for salary range? ›

“I'm really excited about this opportunity. If we decide to work together, I'm sure we'd find a salary that matches the value I'll bring to your organization. Can you give me an idea what you've already budgeted for this position?”

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How to answer desired salary on online application? ›

On a Job Application

Not all applications will ask for your desired salary, so if they don't ask, there's no need to give one. And if they do ask, keep things simple by saying something like “salary is negotiable” or “salary may be discussed during the interview process.”

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How to talk about salary in an interview? ›

When you do decide to discuss wages, don't mention a specific figure – provide your preferred salary range instead. Showing that you're flexible is the first step towards negotiating a pay packet that's viable for your employer and reflects your ambitions.

How to negotiate salary sample answer? ›

Example answers

“I'd be happy to share my salary expectations, but first, could you tell me more about the company's benefits package and growth opportunities? Having a complete picture of the overall compensation package can help me discuss specific numbers more effectively.”

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How to answer expected salary for fresh graduates? ›

Simply state that you are open to negotiation and willing to consider a competitive offer. If the employer insists on more specific information, provide a salary range rather than a definite number. The less you divulge about what offer will make you bite, the more you're likely to receive the best offer.

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What to put for minimum salary? ›

When you write your salary requirements, you should include a range and not a specific sum. For instance, if you would like to make $35,000, then you should state that your salary requirements are between $30,000 and $40,000, rather than $35,000. This way, there is an opportunity to negotiate.

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What is a good desired salary for a part-time job? ›

As of Aug 25, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Part Time Entry Level in California is $15.05 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $21.83 and as low as $12.81, the majority of Part Time Entry Level salaries currently range between $15.43 (25th percentile) to $17.79 (75th percentile) in California.

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How to deflect salary expectation question? ›

If you're asked for your salary expectations, you could deflect by saying “What do you usually pay someone in this position?” or “I'd like to learn more about the role before I set my salary expectations. I would hope that my salary would line up with market rates for similar positions in this area.”

How to answer what are your compensation expectations? ›

Focus on why you expect the amount

When stating your answer, prepare to explain why you selected the compensation amount. Recounting your research, past positions and realistic expectations can all help illustrate your experience and integrity to your interviewer.