Studies consistently show that 85% of people who negotiate their salary get more money — yet most people never ask. The cost of not negotiating a $60,000 offer could be $500,000 over a 40-year career when you factor in future raises and retirement contributions.
When to Negotiate
The best time to negotiate is after you receive a written offer — not during the initial interview. Once they've chosen you, they're invested. Negotiating before an offer is premature. Negotiating after you've verbally accepted is harder.
The Research Step (Do This First)
Before any negotiation, know your number. Research:
- Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and Levels.fyi for your role
- The specific company's pay ranges (many are now required to post them)
- Your local cost of living vs. where the role is based
- Your years of experience relative to the median for this level
Come in with a range, not a single number. Your target should be the bottom of your range.
The Counter-Offer Script
"Thank you so much for the offer — I'm really excited about the role and the team. Based on my research into market rates for this position and my [X years of experience / specific skill], I was hoping we could get to [higher number]. Is there any flexibility there?"
Then stop talking. Silence is powerful in negotiation.
What If They Say No?
If base salary is truly fixed, negotiate other things:
- Signing bonus (often easier to approve than salary)
- Additional PTO days
- Remote work flexibility
- Earlier performance review date
- Professional development budget
- Equity or bonus structure
What If They Ask for Your Current Salary?
In many US states, employers are legally prohibited from asking. Even where they can ask, you're not required to share. You can say: "I'd prefer to focus on what the role is worth in the market rather than anchor to my current compensation."
Common Negotiation Mistakes
- Giving a number first before they do
- Negotiating against yourself ("I know that might be too much...")
- Being apologetic ("I'm sorry to ask, but...")
- Accepting the first counter without countering back
- Burning the relationship — always stay warm and professional
Know Your Market Value
QuickHire AI's free Salary Estimator gives you a market range for any role and location in seconds — so you walk into every negotiation knowing exactly what you're worth.