How to negotiate salary after a job offer

You got that job you wanted. But how’s the salary? If it doesn’t match your expectations or experience, you might consider a counteroffer.

Hiring teams typically expect salary negotiation during the hiring process, so it could help to come into the conversation well informed, flexible and prepared to compromise to get closer to your desired salary.

What you’ll learn:

• Salary negotiations are a common part of the job interview process.

• It helps to understand salary trends in your industry.

• Salary may be just one component of total compensation.

You can ask for your official offer in writing if the hiring team didn’t provide one. This gives you the ability to review all the terms of your potential employment.

In replying to the initial offer, you can start by thanking the hiring team and making it clear that you’re excited about the opportunity. Then you can ask for a set time frame, like 24 or 48 hours, to consider the offer. During that time, you can decide whether the compensation meets your needs or you want to make a counteroffer.

A high base salary isn’t the only factor worth reviewing when accepting a job offer. In some cases, you may want to take into consideration or even negotiate the additional components of your overall compensation package, such as:

• Employer-sponsored health insurance, including health, dental and vision plans

• Vacation or paid time off (PTO)

• Remote work options

• Company stock options

• Retirement benefits like a pension or 401(k)

• Potential commissions or bonuses

Reviewing similar positions can help you determine typical salary ranges in your industry. You can use job search boards and recruiting pages to find average salaries for someone with the same level of experience in your location.

Hiring managers might be more open to a counteroffer if you can demonstrate why you deserve a higher salary. You might think about achievements that reflect your value and experience, such as:

• Licenses or certifications
• Specialized skills 
• Education level and years of experience
• Key contributions from your job history

It’s good to approach your negotiations with confidence. But it’s best to avoid seeming pushy or demanding.

When drafting your response to a job offer, you can be clear in communicating your salary expectations while still showing you can be flexible and professional. Consider using language similar to this:

“Thank you for sending this offer. I’m very excited for the chance to join your company, and I think I would be a perfect fit for the team. I’ve had time to review the offer in detail and, based on my experience and qualifications, I would be comfortable accepting a starting salary of $X.”

When negotiating salary, there’s no guarantee the hiring manager will be willing or able to give you everything you want. So it’s important to be prepared to make at least some trade-offs during job offer negotiations.

But you can come to the negotiating table with a clear understanding of what your nonnegotiables are for accepting the job. If the salary you’re offered is less than you think you deserve and the remainder of the benefits package isn’t adequate, you may need to be willing to accept a lower offer or continue your job search.

Here’s additional information about negotiating your salary after a job offer:

Salary negotiations can be an expected and common part of the job application process. By researching salary trends in your field, considering your entire compensation package and approaching your negotiations in a professional and enthusiastic manner, you may be able to make a strong counteroffer to your potential employer.