Salary negotiation email template (with example numbers)

Before you write anything

Research the market rate before you reply. Use sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, Levels.fyi for tech roles, Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and Pay Scale. In Canada, check the Job Bank wage data. In the UK, use the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings or Reed Salary Checker. In Australia, use Seek Salary Insights or the ABS Employee Earnings data.

Decide on three numbers before you open a blank email: your target (what you actually want), your opening ask (5 to 10 percent above your target to leave room to move), and your walk-away point (the lowest you will accept). Never share your walk-away point in writing.

• Target salary: the number you would be happy to sign for
• Opening ask: 5 to 10 percent above your target
• Walk-away point: kept private, used only to decide whether to decline

Basic counter-offer email template

Use this template when you have a written offer and want to counter on base salary only. Fill in the bracketed fields with your own details.

1. Subject: Re: Offer for [Job Title] at [Company]
2. Hi [Hiring Manager Name],
3. Thank you for the offer. I am genuinely excited about the role and the team.
4. After reviewing the offer and researching the market rate for [Job Title] in [City / remote], I was hoping we could discuss the base salary. Based on my [X years of experience / specific skill], I was expecting something closer to [your opening ask, e.g. $95,000]. Would [Company] be able to move to that figure?
5. I am flexible on start date and open to discussing other parts of the package if that helps. I look forward to your thoughts.
6. Best, [Your Name]

Counter-offer email with a competing offer

If you have a second offer, you can mention it without being aggressive. Be honest: only cite a competing offer if you actually have one. Lying about a competing offer is a fast way to lose both jobs.

Example: you have an offer from Company A for $88,000 and a competing offer from Company B for $96,000. You prefer Company A. Here is how to write that email.

1. Subject: Re: Offer for [Job Title] at [Company A]
2. Hi [Name],
3. Thank you again for the offer. [Company A] is my first choice and I would love to make this work.
4. I want to be transparent: I have a competing offer at $96,000. I am not using it as leverage, but I do need to be responsible about the decision. If [Company A] could come to $94,000, I would be ready to sign and withdraw from the other process immediately.
5. Please let me know if that is possible. I am happy to jump on a call if that is easier.
6. Best, [Your Name]

Negotiating total compensation, not just base salary

Base salary is not the only lever. If the employer says the base is fixed, ask about signing bonus, equity, remote work days, extra vacation, or a six-month salary review. In the US, a signing bonus is often easier for a company to approve than a permanent salary increase because it does not compound into future raises.

Example phrasing: 'I understand the base may be fixed at this band. Would it be possible to include a signing bonus of $8,000 to bridge the gap? I am also open to discussing an accelerated performance review at six months.'

• Signing bonus (one-time, easier to approve)
• Equity or RSU grant increase
• Extra vacation days (1 to 5 days is a common ask)
• Remote work flexibility
• Professional development budget
• Earlier performance review (3 or 6 months instead of 12)

What to do after you send the email

Give the employer two to three business days to respond. Do not follow up the next morning. If you have not heard back after three business days, a single short follow-up is fine: 'Hi [Name], I wanted to check in on my note from [date]. Happy to chat by phone if that is easier.'

When the employer comes back with a counter, decide quickly. Prolonged back-and-forth frustrates hiring managers and can signal indecision. Two rounds of negotiation is typical. Three is the maximum before you risk souring the relationship.

Once you reach an agreement, confirm it in writing in your reply: 'Thank you for confirming the base salary of $92,000 with a $5,000 signing bonus. I look forward to receiving the updated offer letter.'

Common mistakes that cost candidates money

Apologizing for negotiating is the most common mistake. Phrases like 'I am sorry to ask' or 'I hope this is not too much trouble' undermine your position. You are a professional discussing compensation, not asking a favor.

Giving a range instead of a number is the second most common mistake. If you say '$90,000 to $100,000', the employer hears '$90,000'. Name a single number.

• Do not apologize for negotiating
• Do not give a salary range, give one number
• Do not accept verbally before negotiating in writing
• Do not reveal your current salary unless required by law (banned in many US states and Canadian provinces)
• Do not negotiate over the phone without notes in front of you

How Break-In Bad helps before you reach the offer stage

Negotiating well starts with having the right offer in the first place. Break-In Bad's AI agent reads full job postings, checks location, visa, time zone, and level requirements, and scores each role so you only spend time on jobs you are genuinely eligible for. It writes a tailored resume and cover letter from facts you confirm, then applies on Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, and other employer sites with a screenshot as proof. When employer replies come in, they land in one inbox with interview alerts so you never miss a response. The stronger your application, the more leverage you have when the offer arrives.