To negotiate salary after a job offer, thank the employer, ask for the offer in writing and take a day or two to decide. Then research what the job pays, build your case on the value you bring and make a polite counteroffer, by email or phone.
Below are 7 steps, 3 sample negotiation emails, a free email builder, wording to try and a checklist. The advice comes from career centers and a bank’s guide, so check your own offer and your situation.
AdvertisementAll names, employers and numbers in the samples are fictional examples. Replace them with your own true details, and ask only for what you can support.
How to Negotiate Salary After a Job Offer in 7 Steps
Quick jump: Get it in writingAsk for timeResearch paySet your rangeBuild your caseCounterofferDecideSample emailsFree salary negotiation email builder
Step 1. Get the Offer in Writing and Say Thank You
Thank the employer and show enthusiasm, but do not accept on the spot. American University’s Career Center says to ask for the offer details in writing, and Capital One says the best time to negotiate is after you receive the official offer, once you know the job requirements better. A formal letter should list the salary, start date, benefits, location and acceptance deadline, according to Oregon State University.
Step 2. Ask for Time to Decide
Ask for a day or two. American University says not to respond right away, and Capital One suggests a set window such as 24 or 48 hours. Use that time to weigh the full package and to ask about benefits, vacation, advancement and start date, as Oregon State suggests.
Step 3. Research What the Job Pays
American University points to Salary.com, Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale for pay by industry, experience and region. Oregon State adds that you should adjust for location, employer type, special skills or certifications and years of experience, and that federal, state and university salaries are often public.
Step 4. Set Your Range and Your Limits
Oregon State suggests setting the bottom of your range at the lowest figure you would accept and the top no more than 20% higher. Capital One says to decide your nonnegotiables in advance, because you may not get everything you ask for.
Step 5. Build Your Case on Your Value
American University says to base your request on the skills and contributions you will bring, not on your desired earnings. Capital One suggests pointing to licenses or certifications, specialized skills, education, years of experience and key results from past jobs.
Step 6. Make the Counteroffer
Stay appreciative and clear, and cite your research and qualifications. American University says to raise all open terms in the same conversation instead of one at a time, and Oregon State says to be polite and not demanding. Practice out loud first, as you would for an interview, and use the email builder below if you prefer to write.
Step 7. Weigh the Response and Decide
The employer may check with a manager and budget before replying, according to Oregon State. You can accept, decline or ask for something different, and if the salary cannot move, you can ask about flexible hours, vacation time or education support. Get the final terms in writing before you accept.
3 Salary Negotiation Email Samples
Salary Negotiation Email: Counter With Market Research
Columbus, OH
daniel.reed@email.com | (555) 010-1811
Ms. Dana Collins
Hiring Manager
Harbor Point Services
Columbus, OH
Subject: Project Coordinator offer
Dear Ms. Collins,
I am writing about the Project Coordinator offer at Harbor Point Services, and I am excited to join your team. Thank you for the offer of $58,000.
Based on the salary sites I checked for similar roles in our area, and my 6 years of experience and project management certification, I was hoping for a salary of $64,000. In my last role, I cut project delays by 25% and kept 12 projects on budget, and I expect to bring the same results to your team.
Would you be able to move the offer closer to $64,000? If we can agree on that, I am ready to accept right away, and a short call this week would be a good way to talk it through.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Daniel Reed
Salary Negotiation Email: Entry-Level Counteroffer
Phoenix, AZ
alyssa.parker@email.com | (555) 010-1922
Mr. Brian Hughes
Recruiting Manager
Desert Ridge Partners
Phoenix, AZ
Subject: Operations Analyst offer
Dear Mr. Hughes,
Thank you for offering me the Operations Analyst position at Desert Ridge Partners. I am excited about the role, and I would like to talk about the starting salary before I accept.
After reviewing pay for similar entry-level roles in our area, I found a typical range of $54,000 to $60,000. With my degree, a 6-month internship where I improved a weekly report and saved the team 4 hours, and my data analysis certificate, I was hoping for $58,000 instead of the $52,000 offered.
Would that be possible? My excitement about the role and the team has not changed, and I can start as soon as we agree.
Thank you again for your time.
Sincerely,
Alyssa Parker
Salary Negotiation Email: Ask for Other Terms
Atlanta, GA
marcus.johnson@email.com | (555) 010-2033
Ms. Elena Ramirez
Director of Talent
Magnolia Health Partners
Atlanta, GA
Subject: Customer Success Manager offer
Dear Ms. Ramirez,
I am writing about the Customer Success Manager offer at Magnolia Health Partners, and I am excited about the role. Thank you for the offer, and I understand the salary of $72,000 is set for this level.
Since the salary is firm, I would like to talk about a few other terms. An extra week of paid time off, a start date two weeks after my acceptance so I can finish my current projects and one professional course a year would all help me do my best work for your team.
If we can agree on these points, I am ready to sign. Could you share a response by Friday?
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Marcus Johnson
Free Salary Negotiation Email Builder
Step 1. Which describes you?
Step 2. What is your main request?
Step 3. Tap the lines to add. Three to five is plenty, and keep the email short.
Step 4. Click any text in the email below and type or modify to make it yours.
Replace the name, employer, job title, salary figures and every detail with your own true information. Use only numbers, certifications and results you can explain in an interview, and delete any line that does not fit you.
Daniel Reed
Columbus, OH
daniel.reed@email.com | (555) 010-1377
Subject: Project Coordinator offer
Ms. Laura Henderson
Hiring Manager
Harbor Point Services
Columbus, OH
Dear Ms. Henderson,
I am writing about the Project Coordinator offer at Harbor Point Services, and I am excited to join your team. Thank you for the offer of $58,000, and I would like to talk about the salary before I accept.
Thank you for offering me the Project Coordinator position at Harbor Point Services. I am excited about the role, and I would like to talk about the starting salary before I accept.
I am writing about the Project Coordinator offer at Harbor Point Services, and I am excited about the role. Thank you for the offer, and I would like to talk about a few parts of the package before I accept.
Based on my research of similar roles in our area and my 6 years of experience, I was hoping for a salary of $64,000. Would you be able to move the offer closer to that number?
With my degree, a 6-month internship and my data analysis certificate, I was hoping for a starting salary of $54,000. Would that be possible?
If the salary is firm, I would like to talk about other terms that would help me do my best work for your team, such as paid time off, a start date and professional development.
Similar roles in our area, based on the salary sites I checked, typically pay $60,000 to $66,000.
In my last role, I cut project delays by 25% and kept 12 projects on budget, and I expect to bring the same results to your team.
My project management certification and 6 years of experience are the reasons for this number.
I would also like to see the offer in writing, including benefits and the start date.
A start date two weeks after my acceptance would let me finish my current projects.
An extra week of paid time off would also be valuable to me.
Support for one professional course a year would help me grow in ways that benefit the team.
If we can agree on these points, I am ready to accept right away.
A short call this week would be a good way to talk through the details.
My excitement about the role and the team has not changed.
Could you share a response by Friday?
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Daniel Reed
To save your email: press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and choose Save as PDF. Only the email prints. To copy it, select the text inside the email and press Ctrl+C or Cmd+C.
What Else You Can Negotiate
If the salary cannot move, look at the full package. American University and Capital One list these options.
| Term to ask about | Examples (American University and Capital One) |
|---|---|
| Pay | Base salary, bonus or commission |
| Time | Start date, flexible schedule, paid time off, remote work |
| Growth | Professional development funding, education support |
| Benefits | Health coverage, retirement plan, stock options |
| Extras | Relocation expenses, loan forgiveness, technology and equipment |
Wording to Try
| Situation | Wording to try |
|---|---|
| Asking for time | Thank you for the offer. I am excited about the role, and I would like a day or two to review the details. |
| Making the ask | Based on my research and my experience, I was hoping for a salary closer to a specific number. Would that be possible? |
| Salary is firm | I understand the salary is set. Could we talk about paid time off, the start date or professional development? |
| Ready to accept | If we can agree on these points, I am ready to accept right away. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Better move |
|---|---|
| Accepting right away | Say thank you and ask for a day or two |
| Skipping research | Check pay by role, region and experience |
| Asking only for what you want | Explain the value you bring |
| Raising terms one at a time | Raise all open terms in one conversation |
| Sounding demanding | Stay appreciative and clear |
Salary Negotiation Checklist
Tick each item as you finish. You are ready to send when the counter reaches 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you negotiate salary after a job offer?
Yes. Oregon State University’s career center says negotiating is normal and expected for most full-time offers, and that an offer is rarely rescinded when you are polite and not demanding.
When is the best time to negotiate?
After you have the official offer. Capital One says that is when you likely understand the job better and have built rapport with the hiring team. Do not raise pay too early in the interview process.
How long should I ask for to decide?
A day or two, according to American University’s Career Center, or a set window such as 24 to 48 hours, according to Capital One. Thank the employer and show enthusiasm when you ask.
How much should I ask for?
Research similar roles in your area, then set a range. Oregon State suggests the bottom be the lowest figure you would accept and the top no more than 20% higher. Base the number on your value, not on what you want to earn.
What should I say in a counteroffer?
Thank the employer, say you are excited about the role, cite your research and qualifications, and ask whether the offer can move closer to your number. American University advises being appreciative, clear and measured.
Should I negotiate by email or phone?
Either works, so choose the one you are comfortable with. The builder on this page writes an email, and a short call after it can help, which is my own suggestion, not a source’s.
What else can I negotiate besides salary?
American University lists start date, flexible schedule, loan forgiveness, relocation expenses, technology and equipment and professional development funding. Capital One adds paid time off, remote work, retirement benefits, bonuses and health coverage.
What if the employer says the salary cannot change?
Oregon State says you can accept, decline or ask for something different, such as flexible hours, vacation time or education opportunities. Decide your nonnegotiables before you reply.
Should I accept the offer right away?
No. American University, Oregon State and Capital One all advise taking time to review the offer before you respond, even if you want the job.
Why is it worth negotiating?
Small differences add up. Oregon State gives an example of $55,000 instead of $50,000 with 5% annual raises adding more than $600,000 over a 40-year career, citing the Journal of Organizational Behavior. It is an illustration, not a guarantee for your job.
Conclusion
Negotiating after an offer is normal when you stay polite, prepared and focused on your value. Get the offer in writing, take a day or two, research the pay, make one clear ask and be ready to talk about other terms. Then use the builder above to write your email today.
Related Reading
- Sample acceptance letter after negotiation
- Job offer rejection letter due to salary
- Sample cover letter with salary requirements
- Why should we hire you: sample answers
Sources: American University Career Center, Salary Negotiation; Oregon State University Career Development, How to Negotiate My Salary; Capital One, How to Negotiate Salary After a Job Offer. The sample emails, names and employers are fictional.