How to Negotiate a Salary Offer: Counter at 10-15% Above (With Scripts)

You got the offer. Now comes the part everyone dreads. But here is what most people get wrong about salary negotiation: they think asking for more money is risky. It is not. Companies build negotiation room into their offers. The person who accepts the first number is not being polite; they are leaving money on the table.

This guide walks you through how to negotiate a salary offer step by step, with scripts you can actually use.

Step 1: Do Not Accept Immediately

When you receive the offer, your first move is to express enthusiasm without committing. Something like: "Thank you so much, I am really excited about this opportunity. I would love to take a day to review the full package. Can I get back to you by [day]?"

This is completely normal and expected. No reasonable company will pressure you into an immediate answer. If they do, that is a red flag about how they treat employees.

Step 2: Research Your Market Value

Before you counter, you need data. Check three to four sources: Levels.fyi for tech compensation, Glassdoor for salary ranges, LinkedIn salary insights for your title and location, and Payscale for industry benchmarks. You can also use our salary calculator to see what similar roles are paying. Focus on the same title, same city, and similar company size.

Your target number should be at the 60th to 75th percentile of the range you find. Going above the 90th percentile without exceptional justification makes you look disconnected from the market.

Step 3: Send Your Counter (Email Template)

Email is usually the best channel for your initial counter. It gives you time to choose your words carefully and creates a written record. Here is a template:

Step 4: Handle the Response

Three things can happen after you counter:

They meet your number. Great. Accept and move on. Do not try to squeeze more after they gave you what you asked for.

They come back with a number between their offer and your ask. This is the most common outcome. If the new number works for you, accept it. If it is still below your minimum, you can try negotiating other parts of the package: signing bonus, equity, remote work, start date, or PTO.

They say the offer is firm. Decide whether the role is worth it at that number. Sometimes it is, sometimes it is not. Either way, you asked professionally and there is nothing to regret.

What to Negotiate Beyond Base Salary

Base salary is just one piece. If they cannot move on base, try these:

Signing bonus: Easier for companies to approve because it is a one-time cost, not a recurring expense. Ask for $5K to $15K if base is stuck.

Equity or stock options: Especially at startups, this can be the biggest lever. Ask about the vesting schedule, strike price, and total outstanding shares.

Remote flexibility: If the role is hybrid, an extra remote day per week has real value. It is free for the company to offer.

Start date: If you need time between jobs, ask. Most companies are flexible on this.

Professional development budget: Conference attendance, courses, or certifications. Usually $1K to $5K per year.

Common Mistakes

Negotiating without data. "I want more" is not a negotiation. "Based on market data for this role in this city, I was hoping for X" is.

Apologizing for negotiating. Do not say "I hate to ask" or "I know this is awkward." You are having a professional conversation about compensation. Treat it that way.

Giving a range. If you say "$120K to $140K," they will hear $120K. State a single number and let them come back with a range.

Bluffing about competing offers. If you do not actually have another offer, do not pretend you do. If they call your bluff, you lose all credibility. If you do have a competing offer, mention it honestly: "I have another offer at $X, but your role is my first choice."

The Bottom Line

Salary negotiation is not a fight. The hiring manager already picked you. They want you to say yes. Your job is to make a reasonable case, give them a chance to meet you partway, and be gracious whatever happens.

A good negotiation takes 15 minutes of research and one well-written email. The payoff can be thousands of dollars per year for the rest of your time at that company. There is no reason not to try.

If this offer did not come through yet and you are still searching, Scoutify can help you find more opportunities. Set up alerts for the roles and companies you care about, and you will hear about new openings within minutes of them being posted, not days later on job boards.