During your job search, a hiring manager may ask, “What are your salary expectations?” in a conversation before or during a job interview. Whenever the question comes up, answer with a salary range you’ve researched that you would accept and briefly explain how you arrived at it.
You may be saying, “But how do you research an appropriate salary?” Read on for advice on salary research and how to answer salary expectations.
1. Research the market and 2027 salary trends
Access the salary guide
Long before an employer asks, “What are your salary expectations, you’ve got to prepare by researching current pay information for the job you’re targeting. The 2027 Salary Guide From Robert Half covers projected starting salaries for more than 425 roles across seven professional fields, from financial analysts to UX designers, so it’s a good place to start.
Use the Salary Guide’s Salary Calculator to filter your search for a role’s salary range by job location. If the job is remote or hybrid and you’re not sure which location the company uses, search by both the company’s office location city and your remote location city.
Also look for three or four live postings at a similar level on LinkedIn or the Robert Half jobs board to see what companies are advertising right now. The range you wind up selecting should reflect your experience, skills and qualifications, not just your current or previous salary. The lowest figure you set in your range should still be an amount you would say yes to, not a lowball meant to look modest.
2. Give a salary range, not a number
Giving a single number right away forces a yes-or-no response and risks citing a salary too low, while a range gives the employer room to land somewhere you're satisfied with. It also signals that you've researched the market rather than picked an arbitrary figure.
Sample response when you are ready to provide a range: “Based on the role and current pay in this market, I’m targeting $XX to $XX. That range also reflects my experience with [relevant requirement].”
Why it works:
It keeps you flexible for negotiation later.It shows you’ve done your research.It helps you avoid being screened out too early.
How wide should your expected salary range be?
Both the low and high numbers in your desired salary range should make sense for the role. A spread of $85,000 to $95,000 tells the employer you know the market; $70,000 to $110,000 tells them you're guessing. Keep the gap tight enough to look deliberate.
3. Diplomatically turn the salary expectations question around
It’s OK to ask about the employer’s budgeted range before giving yours. This is especially useful during a recruiter phone screen, when you may only have a broad outline of the job and want to know whether further conversations make sense. Just keep it direct and cooperative.
If they ask you “What are your salary expectations?” before you can ask for their range, a sample response would be: "I'm happy to talk about pay. Could you share the range you've budgeted for this role? That way we can make sure we're in the right ballpark before we go further." If you need more information first, you could say: "I'd love to give you a number, but I'd like to understand the day-to-day responsibilities and how success is measured first. Can we come back to compensation once we've covered that?"
How should you respond if the employer’s range is too low during an initial screening call?
State that there’s a gap without closing the conversation. Try: “Thank you for sharing that. Based on my research and what we’ve discussed, I was expecting $XX to $XX. Is there flexibility in the range or elsewhere in the offer?”
If their ceiling sits below the lowest figure you'd accept, say so clearly and thank them for their time. Leaving the conversation on a professional note can help keep the door open if the role is re-advertised or the budget changes later.
4. Be ready to commit to a number
Later in the process, you may be asked to provide a single salary number, not a range. By a second interview or third interview, you should understand the job expectations and how success will be judged. If the employer asks for hands-on experience with an in-demand tech tool that you know well or another specialized skill you have, that supports a figure toward the top of your range. If you have limited experience in this type of role, a point closer to or below the midpoint is more realistic.
Also consider factors like:
Added responsibilities not listed in the postingLeadership or project management dutiesRemote or hybrid flexibility
The goal is to arrive at a desired salary figure you think is fair and the employer is likely to entertain. Also, keep in mind that while you may have had to tip your hand when salary requirements first came up during the hiring process, it doesn’t mean you are committed to what you originally gave.
What is the best answer for your expected salary?
Depending on how conversations have gone thus far, you might respond to a direct inquiry about the salary you want like this:
"Given the responsibilities of the position and the number of people I’d be managing, I think $XX is a fair figure. It’s an exciting opportunity, and I truly believe I’m the person for the job."
"I’m really excited by the challenges you described! $XX seems like the right starting salary. There’s a lot to take on, and I’m confident I’d succeed in the role."
"I’m thinking $XX. This is a big job—one I’m very familiar with and well suited for. I led a similar team at my past employer, and we hit all the goals we were charged with. I’d be very excited to take on another challenge like this!"
5. Evaluate the offer and negotiate professionally
Once you receive a written offer, compare it with the priorities you set before the interview.
Remember that competitive salaries are only one element of a strong employment offer. Along with the fixed financial terms, evaluate the broader compensation package, including health coverage, time off, flexibility, retirement contributions and professional development opportunities.
In a survey for the 2027 Salary Guide From Robert Half, 64% of workers said work-life balance and remote-work benefits could motivate them to move to another employer even if starting salary stayed the same; 63% said the same about financial incentives like bonuses and profit-sharing. Those findings suggest the package surrounding the salary can matter almost as much as the salary itself.
Would you accept slightly less base pay for a better schedule, stronger retirement contributions or more flexibility? Decide what matters most to you before you negotiate, then focus your request on the one or two adjustments that would make the offer work.
What happens after pay expectations have been fully addressed?
Once you have the written offer, read every line—not just the salary. Check that the job title, start date, working pattern, benefits and any extras you negotiated are all there. If something is missing or doesn't match what you discussed, raise it before you sign.
When you're ready to accept, say so with enthusiasm and ask about next steps. Keep a copy of the final offer and any email trails where changes were agreed to. You may never need them, but if a misunderstanding occurs after your first day, you'll be glad you have them.
Read what happens after you accept a job offer so you know what to expect before your first day.
What happens after pay expectations have been fully addressed?
The employer has made their offer, and the proposed salary meets or comes close to your pay expectations. What now?
Thank the hiring manager and ask for a day or two to mull things over, if you feel you need the time.
If you decide to take the job, express your enthusiasm and ask about the start date. Then, ask for a formal, written offer so you can make sure everything you’ve discussed, from the job description and salary to perks and benefits, is correct, so you can start your new role with confidence that you and your new employer are on the same page.
Ready for next steps? Here’s what happens after you accept a job offer so you’re set for success.
