How To Negotiate Salary For A Job Offer in 2025

Negotiating your salary can feel intimidating, but it’s a critical skill for taking control of your career and earnings. In 2025’s job market, where talent is in demand and inflationary pressures are real, negotiating a fair salary is more important than ever.

The good news is that with the proper techniques and mindset, you can confidently negotiate your next job offer and potentially boost your lifetime earnings by hundreds of thousands of dollars​.

Let’s walk through how to negotiate effectively and avoid common pitfalls.

In This Guide:
How to Negotiate Your Salary
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Learn How to Be an Effective Negotiator
How To Handle Objections And Tough Questions
6 Tips and Techniques on How To Negotiate Your Salary
Example Script For Negotiating Salary in Person or Phone
Example Email Template (Counter Offer)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What The Current Salary In Australia?
How To Increase Your Chances of Getting The Offer You Deserve

How to Negotiate Your Salary

Why negotiate? Salary negotiation isn’t about being pushy – it’s about ensuring you’re compensated fairly for your skills and experience.

Even a small bump in your starting offer can compound dramatically over your career. For example, negotiating each new offer could make a $1 million difference in lifetime earnings.

Despite this, many people shy away from negotiating. Studies show less than half of employees actually negotiate their salary offers, often due to fear of seeming “greedy” or losing the offer​.

In reality, employers expect some negotiation. Over half of hiring managers admit they start with a lower offer anticipating a counter​, and 84% say they expect candidates to negotiate​. Clearly, by skipping negotiation, you could be leaving money on the table.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Learn How to Be an Effective Negotiator

Negotiation is as much about mindset and strategy as it is about numbers. Here’s how to develop the psychology of a successful negotiator:

• Build your confidence: It’s natural to feel nervous when discussing money, but remember that you deserve to be paid what you’re worth. One way to boost confidence is to recognize that employers will not think you’re “greedy” just for asking for a fair salary.
• Try reframing the situation: you’re not begging for extra money; you’re having a professional discussion to reach a win-win agreement. Before the negotiation, review your accomplishments and positive feedback in previous roles to remind yourself of the value you bring.
• Negotiation psychology – it’s not a battle: Effective negotiators understand that salary talks should be collaborative, not adversarial. Adopting a collaborative mindset means listening actively and finding solutions rather than issuing ultimatums.

How To Handle Objections And Tough Questions

During negotiation, you might encounter pushback or tricky questions. Here are some common scenarios and strategies to handle them:

If an employer says, “This is our best offer” or otherwise refuses:

Don’t panic. First, probe politely to understand if it’s truly non-negotiable or if there’s any wiggle room.

You could ask, “I understand budget constraints. Is there any flexibility in any part of the compensation package? I’d be happy to discuss a small increase or perhaps additional vacation or a signing bonus.” Often, a firm stance softens if you approach it gracefully.

Suppose they truly cannot budge on salary. In that case, you can try negotiating other benefits (more on that soon) or ask if a 6-month salary review can be put in writing (so you can revisit a raise after proving yourself). If all else fails, you’ll need to decide, based on your minimum acceptable pay, whether to accept the offer as-is. But at least you’ll know you tried.

If they say, “Your requested salary is above our range”:

This can happen if your ask was a bit high. Stay composed and respond strategically. You might say, “I understand – I based that figure on market data and the value I believe I bring.

Could you share the range you have in mind?” Getting them to reveal their range or max allows you to see if there’s overlap. You could then adjust your request accordingly or pivot to other compensation elements. Emphasize that you’re flexible and truly interested in the role, but you also want to ensure the salary reflects your qualifications. Sometimes, just coming down slightly (while still aiming above their initial offer) shows good faith and can close the deal.

If you get asked for your salary expectations very early (before an offer):

This is a common point of anxiety. You don’t want to price yourself too low or too high prematurely. If a recruiter or interviewer asks, “What salary are you looking for?” early in the process, you can politely deflect or turn the question around. For example: “I’m most interested in finding a role that’s a great fit, and I’m sure any offer would be fair. May I ask if your company has a range in mind for this position?”

Often, they will reveal a budget or range. If they insist on a number, give a broad, research-backed range and couch it with flexibility. “Based on my research for similar roles in this city, I’d expect somewhere in the range of $80K to $95K, depending on the overall package. But I’m open to discussion.” This way, you avoid locking yourself to a single figure too soon.

If you feel intimidated or pressured:

Some hiring managers are excellent negotiators themselves and might make you feel that you’re being difficult. Stay firm but courteous. If you need a moment, it’s okay to say, “Let me take a day to think this over.”

Stepping away from a live discussion (especially if it’s on the phone or in person) to carefully consider can be better than agreeing in the moment to something you’re not comfortable with.

Just be sure to express enthusiasm and a timeline: “I’m very interested in this role. Could I take the time tonight to review the details and get back to you tomorrow with my thoughts?” This is a perfectly professional request.

6 Tips and Techniques on How To Negotiate Your Salary

These actionable strategies cover everything from timing your negotiation to exact phrases you might say or write.

1. Timing is everything

Generally, wait until you have an official offer before diving into salary discussions. That’s when you have the most leverage. They’ve decided they want you. Bringing up pay too early can be a turnoff to employers​.

However, as mentioned, if they press you for expectations early, give a broad range or respectfully turn it around to learn their range​.

The ideal scenario is to defer detailed salary talk until after you know they definitely want to hire you. Once an offer is made (usually verbally or via email), express your enthusiasm and gratitude, then transition into negotiation mode.

2. Let the employer state a number first (if possible)

If you can, try to get the employer to disclose their salary range or offer before you share yours. This prevents you from lowballing yourself or aiming too high blindly.

You can prompt this by asking questions during the process, like, “What is the budgeted salary range for this role?” Employers often have an internal range.

If their first offer is below what you expected, you now have a starting point.

Exception: If an employer genuinely won’t give a number first, ensure you’ve done your research and then give a range that puts your ideal salary at the lower end so there’s room to negotiate up.

3. Do your market research

Use resources like Glassdoor, Payscale, LinkedIn Salary, industry-specific reports, or even recruiters’ insights to find out typical pay for the position and level. In 2025, about 78% of employees are keeping an eye on market salary trends to help in their negotiations​.

When you come armed with data, you can confidently say something like, “Based on industry reports and my experience level, the going rate for this role is around $X–$Y​. I believe a salary closer to $Y would reflect the value I’ll bring.”

4. Highlight your value and unique strengths

During your negotiation conversation (whether in person, on a call, or via email), make sure to reiterate key reasons why you merit the higher pay.

This isn’t about rehashing your entire resume, but do remind them of the skills or accomplishments that are especially valuable to the company.

For Example: I’m excited to hit the ground running. Given that I have 3 years more experience than the job requires and a track record of boosting sales by 20% in my last role, I was hoping we could explore a salary around [your target figure].

5. Aim a bit higher than your true target

In negotiations, you often won’t get everything you ask for – so ask for a little more than what you truly want, within reason. If you want $90K, you might propose $95K or $100K, so that even if they negotiate you down, you end up near $90K.

Make sure the number is still realistic, though; asking for an astronomical increase could backfire. Use your researched range as a guide to set a negotiation cushion above your ideal number.

6. Consider using a precise number

Interestingly, research indicates that using a precise figure can give you an upper hand. For example, instead of saying “$100,000”, saying “$98,500” or “$102,750” can make you appear more informed and credible.

A study from Columbia Business School found that negotiators who gave precise numbers were perceived to have done more homework, and they often achieved better outcomes.

More Tips & Techniques You Can Use:

• Be polite and positive: Always maintain a gracious tone.
• Leverage silence: After you make your ask or counteroffer, resist the urge to keep talking to fill the silence.
• Be ready to negotiate beyond salary: If the base salary isn’t meeting your expectations, think about other valuable forms of compensation.
• Know when to wrap it up: Most negotiations will go through 1 or 2 rounds of offers and counteroffers.

Example Script For Negotiating Salary in Person or Phone

Example Email Template (Counter Offer)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What if the employer flat-out refuses to negotiate or says the offer is non-negotiable?

A: First, gauge if they truly mean it. Sometimes “non-negotiable” is a tactic to test you or simply a default stance. If they hold firm on absolutely everything, then you have to decide if you’re happy with the offer as-is. If it’s below your worth and you have other options, it’s okay to decline.

Q: Could negotiating my salary cause the employer to rescind the job offer?

A: This is a very common fear, but it’s largely unfounded as long as you negotiate professionally. The vast majority of employers will not withdraw an offer just because you asked for more.

Q: How do I negotiate for benefits or perks instead of salary?

A: If the salary number isn’t flexible, shift focus to the overall compensation package. Identify which benefits would be valuable to you and bring them up in the negotiation.

Q: What if I’m asked about my current salary or salary history?

A: In some places (including parts of Australia), it’s now illegal for employers to ask about your salary history. But if you’re asked, you can deflect by focusing on your expected salary.​ Keep steering the discussion toward the value you’ll bring.

Q: Should I negotiate even if the offer seems great (or more than I expected)?

A: If you’re pleasantly surprised by an offer, you might be tempted just to accept immediately. However, it can be wise to still evaluate the package carefully. Perhaps the salary is great, but the benefits could be improved.

What The Current Salary In Australia?

What kind of salary should you expect in Australia in 2025? Look at our complete salary guide that lists it by experience, age, and even industries.

According to the latest data, the average full-time salary in Australia is roughly AUD $90,000–$100,000 per year.​

In fact, Australian full-time workers earn about $1,770 a week on average, which comes out to about $92K annually​.

For 2025, many surveys put the national average around the six-figure mark. (about $100K a year)​

Keep in mind this is an average across all industries and experience levels. Your personal market value could be higher or lower.

If you’re job hunting in Australia, it’s wise to consult updated salary guides for your specific field. Those can give you very granular numbers for roles at different levels.

How To Increase Your Chances of Getting The Offer You Deserve

The key takeaways are: always do your research, clearly communicate your value, and don’t be afraid to ask for what you’re worth.

Even if you don’t get everything you hoped for, you’ll know you advocated for yourself, and that confidence will carry into your new job.

Keep in mind that landing a great salary often starts before the negotiation. It begins with showcasing and presenting yourself as a top candidate.

That includes having a stellar resume, acing the interview, and building your professional network.

If you need support in any of those areas, we’re here to help. Our career coaching, resume writing, and job placement services are here for you every step of the way. Or feel free to get a free CV review with the form below.

If you found these tips helpful, be sure to check out our other expert-guided articles on our platform.