How much should I ask for salary? (2023)

How much should I ask for salary?

As a general rule of thumb, it's usually appropriate to ask for 10% to 20% more than what you're currently making. That means if you're making $50,000 a year now, you can easily ask for $55,000 to $60,000 without seeming greedy or getting laughed at.

Asking for a raise can be the best way to obtain the compensation you deserve if your job duties have changed significantly or if your performance merits a boost. Standard pay increases range from 3% (average) to 5% (exceptional). Asking for a 10% to 20% increase, depending on the reason, is a way to open negotiations.

Consider negotiating lower if 10-20% places you above the average. Is the pay in-line with average pay, but still believe you can negotiate based on your skills? Consider a range between 5-7% above. You don't want to risk your chances with a company that is genuinely interested in your financial well-being.

Consider giving a salary range, not a number

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.

You can almost never go wrong by negotiating salary. Many people are concerned that by asking for more money, they might lose the job offer — but that's almost never the case. After all, most job offers don't disclose the salary range upfront, so recruiters expect that you'll have to talk about it at some point.

You may consider opening lines such as: “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. In my current role, I'm excited to keep working towards key company goals and grow my personal responsibilities. As a result, I'd like to discuss my salary.”

It really depends. Some people feel you should take the first offer if you're happy with it. Never negotiate just for the sake of negotiating. Other people disagree with that position and believe anytime you're given the chance to negotiate, you should.

Yes, you can totally lose a job offer by negotiating salary but that would likely be due to having unreasonable demands and alienating your hiring manager through your behavior. Otherwise, salary negotiation is perfectly acceptable and expected by hiring managers and employers.

What if my salary expectations are too high?

Wrap up by reiterating your interest in the position, so the company doesn't write you off and make the offer to someone else. You should also ask to schedule a follow-up call or meeting, so the interviewer knows when you'll be telling him whether you're interested in the role at his salary range.

Negotiating a salary is a crucial part of accepting a new position, but botching this step can cost a candidate the job. And even if the fallout isn't quite as severe, the outcome of salary negotiations can damage the employee's ability to succeed at work. The problem is, few of us have negotiating skills.

Basic rule of negotiation: You have way more power when you know they want you. So if you do have an offer in your hot hands, and it's not quite what you were anticipating, now would be a decent time to put together a thoughtful counteroffer.

“If something is important to you, absolutely negotiate. But don't haggle over every little thing. Fighting to get just a bit more can rub people the wrong way — and can limit your ability to negotiate with the company later in your career, when it may matter more.”

Ask for 10-15% If...

This is a "good" raise percent to aim for if you're already paid competitively for your job but you have continued to perform. And if you have some longevity at the company, you can definitely push for the higher end of this range.

WorldatWork's 2021-2022 Salary Budget Survey found that salary increase budgets are projected to grow to 3.3 percent on average in 2022, up from 3 percent in 2021. "This data signals continued economic recovery and an increasingly tight labor market," the organization reported.

Technically, two years could be considered the maximum time you should expect between raises, but don't allow it to go that long. If you wait to start your job search until 24 months have passed, you may not be in a new job until you're going on a third year of wage stagnation.

The first step is to say thank you. Maintain a respectful tone and tell the hiring manager how much you appreciate them for taking the time to interview you. However, make it clear that the salary they're offering is too low for you to accept — that you know your worth and you're willing to stand by it.

Is it OK to negotiate salary after accepting job?

Typically, it's best to negotiate your salary after you receive an offer rather than during earlier stages of the interview process. You have the most leverage after you've proven that you're the best candidate for the job and you fully understand the employer's expectations.

A good range for a counter is between 10% and 20% above their initial offer. On the low end, 10% is enough to make a counter worthwhile, but not enough to cause anyone any heartburn.

If you're wondering whether or not to ask for more money when you get an offer, most of the time the answer is yes. Employers often have a bit of wiggle room when they make an offer, and at this point in the process, getting more money in your salary is often as easy as just asking for it.

21. Put Your Number Out First. The anchor—or the first number put on the table—is the most important in negotiation, since it's what the rest of the conversation is based off of. If it's too low, you'll end up with a lower final offer than you probably want.

Countering a job offer multiple times may not be the best approach. Instead, prepare your salary expectations based on the value of your skillset and experience in the current market. Don't drag on the salary negotiation too long. Depending on the situation, two times is the most I would recommend.

Should you negotiate the salary with the human resource department or the hiring manager? You could go either way. However, more often than not, people go to the hiring manager for salary negotiations. For most people, the 'who' doesn't always matter when negotiating salaries, but the 'why.

As a general matter, Lin advises, “It's best to keep your salary negotiation emails polite, professional, and direct.

"You shouldn't ask for something that big," he added. "Because you're going to shock somebody." While asking for 30 to 40 percent may be too much, Corcoran does recommend always asking for "more than you want" by "a little." "Raises are a process," Corcoran said.

Ask for 15- 25% If...

You're paid competitively in your role but you have been an outstanding contributor. You might also ask for a raise between 15% and 25% if your role has taken on more responsibility but your job title didn't change.

What is a good raise Percentage 2022?

WorldatWork's 2021-2022 Salary Budget Survey found that salary increase budgets are projected to grow to 3.3 percent on average in 2022, up from 3 percent in 2021. "This data signals continued economic recovery and an increasingly tight labor market," the organization reported.

If you have the performance and market data on hand, you can reasonably ask for a 10-15 percent raise. “If you start asking for 50-100 percent raises, you're probably not going to be able to get there,” he says.

It's always a good idea to ask for anywhere between 10% to 20% higher than what you're making right now. You may be able to ask for more based on your performance, length of time with the company, and other factors. Make sure you come prepared when you negotiate your raise and be confident.

BEST way to get a Pay Raise - 50% more! - YouTube

The WorldatWork Salary Budget Survey 2019-2020 indicates that organizations have budgeted a 3.6% pay increase for high performers, 2.5% for middle performers, and 0.6% for low performers, so there's a significant difference in merit-based pay increases depending on your performance level.

A $10k raise now is worth over $500k, HALF A MILLION DOLLARS, in career earnings if you're working for 30 more years. That figure accounts for inflation, but that's it. Earning more now makes it easier to land a higher paying job. Earning more now means contributing more to your retirement.

Technically, two years could be considered the maximum time you should expect between raises, but don't allow it to go that long. If you wait to start your job search until 24 months have passed, you may not be in a new job until you're going on a third year of wage stagnation.

While not every company will be giving 5% raises, it's expected that, in general, there will be steeper wage increases in 2022. The Conference Board, a New York-based think tank, is predicting a 3.9% jump in wage costs for firms, which includes pay for new hires. That's the highest rate since 2008.

Whether you've been offered a promotion or you have your eye on one, you should be given a raise with it. Typically, companies will promote from within and refill the more entry-level positions. So the chances of you moving up to a new job and gaining a new annual salary are right around the corner.

Why are new hires paid more?

Current Workers Gain When Bosses Boost Health Benefits for New Hires. Instead of a fistful of bonus cash up front, some companies lured new hires by beefing up health benefits — and, in most cases, existing employees reaped the rewards, too.

When asking for a raise in your current position, it is typically acceptable to ask for up to 10% more than what you are making now. However, it's important to ensure that you go to the meeting equipped with examples of when you excelled within your position and how you have added to your company's overall successes.

A 3% annual pay increase tends to be considered generous – even when inflation is higher than this. This general rule should not put you off asking for more money, however, if you think you are being underpaid.