Salary Negotiation Calculator

Our calculator suggests 15-20% above the initial offer as a reasonable counter-offer range. This gives you negotiation room while remaining realistic. If you have a competing offer or are significantly above market rate for your experience, you may have leverage to ask for more. Always anchor your ask with data and justifications.

First-time negotiators should focus on: (1) Having clear market data to back up your ask, (2) Practicing your pitch with a friend, (3) Being polite but firm, and (4) Remembering that most companies expect negotiation. Use our suggested scripts to help structure your conversation. The worst they can say is no—and you'll still have the original offer.

Yes, if you have them! Competing offers significantly strengthen your negotiating position. However, be honest—never fabricate offers. If asked, be prepared to provide proof (redacted offer letter). Even if you don't have competing offers, you can mention "market research showing similar roles at $X" as leverage.

Negotiate AFTER receiving a written offer but BEFORE accepting it. Never negotiate during interviews or before an offer is extended. Once you have a written offer, you typically have 3-7 days to respond—use this time to research and prepare your counter-offer. Negotiate once, comprehensively (salary + equity + benefits + start date).

If salary is truly fixed, negotiate other components: signing bonus, early performance review, extra PTO, remote work flexibility, professional development budget, or title. Many companies have more flexibility on these than base salary. If they're genuinely inflexible on everything, you can still ask for a commitment to revisit compensation at 6-month review.

Focus on value, not need. Use our generated talking points to highlight: market data for your role, your unique skills and achievements, the value you'll bring to the company, and competing offers if applicable. Avoid personal reasons ("I have student loans"). Frame it as: "Based on my research and experience, I believe $X more accurately reflects the market value for this role."

Your walk-away number is the minimum salary you'd accept for this role. Calculate it based on: (1) Your current salary, (2) Your financial needs, (3) Market rates, and (4) Opportunity cost. If their final offer is below this number, be prepared to decline. Having a clear walk-away point prevents you from accepting offers you'll regret.

It's very difficult and often damages your reputation. Once you accept, the company stops considering other candidates and begins onboarding processes. Only attempt to renegotiate if circumstances drastically change (e.g., you receive a significantly better competing offer immediately after accepting). Prevention is best—negotiate thoroughly BEFORE saying yes.