Negotiating your salary is one of the highest-leverage actions you can take in your career. A successful negotiation can increase your lifetime earnings by hundreds of thousands of dollars, as future raises and bonuses are calculated as percentages of your base salary.
The Negotiation Script
When presenting your request, focus on the value you bring, not your personal financial needs. Use this proven template:
"Thank you for this offer. I am incredibly excited about the opportunity to join the team. Given my experience in [Skills] and the value I expect to bring to [Key Project], I was hoping we could look at a base salary closer to [Target Number]. If we can agree on this figure, I am ready to sign the agreement today."
Always let the employer make the first salary offer if possible, research market rates beforehand, and be prepared to negotiate non-salary compensation like extra vacation days or remote work flexibility.
Run your own numbers
Use our Net Worth Tracker to see how these principles apply to you.