How to answer “What are your salary expectations?”
This is the one interview answer with a price tag on it. A number said too early or too low can follow you into the offer, and into every raise that's a percentage of it. The work is done before the interview: know the range for the role, and ask for theirs first.
What the interviewer is really asking
Are we in the same range? Mostly they're checking that an offer won't go to someone who expects far more than the budget.
Do you know what this job is worth? A researched answer shows you understand the role and the market.
Will you name a low number? If you say less than they budgeted, there's little reason for them to offer more.
The structure: their range, your range, the whole package
- Their range. Ask what range they've budgeted for the role. Many postings now list one, and some US states require it, so check the posting before the interview.
- Your range. If you do give a number, give a researched range, not a single figure. Put the number you actually want near the bottom, because offers tend to land near the low end of whatever you say.
- The whole package. Say it depends on the full package: bonus, equity, benefits, time off, remote work. That keeps room to negotiate once there's an offer.
Aim for 20 to 40 seconds out loud, roughly 40 to 90 words. Short and calm sounds confident; a long justification sounds unsure.
An example answer
A candidate asked about pay in a first-round interview. Everything in brackets comes from your own research, so fill it in with real numbers for this role and location.
I'm flexible, and I'd like to hear the range you've budgeted for this role.
From what I've seen for similar roles in [city, or remote], and with [your years of experience or the skill that matters most here],
I'd be looking at something between [a number you'd be glad to get] and [the top of what your research supports].
That depends on the full package, like [bonus, equity, benefits or remote work],
so I'm happy to talk through the details once we both know it's a fit.
Why it works
- It asks for their range first, so you don't bid against yourself.
- The range comes from research and experience, which is easier to defend than a number you just like.
- Your real target sits near the bottom, so even a low-end offer is one you'd take.
- Mentioning the full package keeps the negotiation open until there's an offer.
Write your own answer
Paste in your role and a few real facts, and the free answer generator builds this answer around them. It won't invent your numbers: anything only you know comes back in brackets.
Write my answer, freeAdjusting it to where you are
Early phone screen. It's fine to ask for their range and say you'd like to learn more about the role before naming a number. If they insist, give your researched range.
Career changer. Research the new field, not your old salary. What you earn now may be well above or below the market for this role.
Asked what you make now. A growing number of US states and cities don't let employers ask about your salary history. Where they can, you can still answer with what you're looking for instead of what you earn today.
Common mistakes
- Naming a number too early. Once you've said a number, it's hard to go above it. Ask for their range, and do your research before the call so you're not guessing.
- Giving one exact figure. A single number leaves no room. A tight range around your target sounds reasonable and leaves space to negotiate.
- Putting your target at the top. Offers tend to land near the bottom of whatever you say. The number you'd be happy with goes at the low end.
- A range too wide to mean anything. "Somewhere between 60 and 120" tells them nothing and sounds unprepared. Keep it narrow enough to be believable.
- Justifying it with your bills. Rent or debt aren't reasons a company pays more for a role. Base the number on the market and the job.
- Guessing without research. Check the posting, salary sites and people in similar roles. A number you can't explain is easy to talk down.
The question you didn't practice
Practicing the common questions helps. The hard part is the one you didn't see coming, asked live while someone waits for you to think. InterviewWhisperer is a Mac app that hears the interviewer and puts an answer like the one above on your screen while you talk, built from your resume and the job description. Your first 30 minutes of live answers are free, no card.
Questions people ask
Should I give a number or a range? A range, with the number you actually want near the bottom of it. A single number leaves no room to negotiate.
What if they insist I go first? Then give your researched range calmly and say it depends on the full package. Refusing again and again can stall the conversation.
Where do I find salary data? The posting itself, since many now list a range, salary sites like Glassdoor or Levels.fyi, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and anyone you know in a similar role.
Can I still negotiate after giving a range? Yes. The range is a starting point. When the offer comes, you can still negotiate base pay, bonus, start date or benefits, especially if the role turned out bigger than described.
How long should my answer be? Under forty seconds. Ask for their range, give yours with a reason, and mention the whole package.
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