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Salary negotiation calculator
See how much to counter, what a better offer is worth each month, and how the gap grows with every raise over the years you stay.
Ask for
$93,500
- Extra in year one
- +$8,500
- Every month
- +$708
- Extra over 10 years, with 3% yearly raises
- +$97,443
Pre-tax estimate. Bonus, equity and benefits are not included.
Counter offer scenarios
| Counter | Ask for | Extra per year | Extra over 10 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $89,250 | +$4,250 | +$48,721 | |
| $93,500 | +$8,500 | +$97,443 | |
| $97,750 | +$12,750 | +$146,164 | |
| $102,000 | +$17,000 | +$194,886 |
How the calculator works
Your counter is a percentage on top of the salary you were offered. In year one, the extra pay is simply the offer multiplied by that percentage. A 10% counter on an $85,000 offer is $8,500 more a year, or about $708 a month.
The bigger effect comes later. Raises are usually a percentage of your current salary, so a higher starting point means every future raise is bigger too. The calculator grows the extra amount by your yearly raise for each year you expect to stay, then adds it up.
All figures are pre-tax estimates and leave out bonus, equity and benefits. Results depend on your role, level and market.
What the research says about negotiating
Most people don’t ask for more. The ones who do usually get it, and more offers make it easier.
10%+
higher wages for workers who had more than one job offer, compared with similar workers who had one. The gap lasted about nine years.
Source: Labour Economics, 2022
~12%
more pay on average for tech job seekers who countered their offer, in a field study of more than 3,000 candidates.
Source: NBER working paper, 2025
69%
of employers surveyed said they would go 6–15% above their first salary offer for an average role.
2 in 3
US workers who asked for more pay when hired got more than they were first offered. Yet fewer than a third asked.
Source: Pew Research Center, 2023
How much should you counter?
There’s no fixed rule, but a 5–10% counter is a reasonable starting point for most offers. In a 2026 survey, most employers said they had room to go 6–15% above their first offer, so a counter in that range is often within reach.
Aim higher when you have leverage: a competing offer, market data showing the role pays more, or skills that are hard to hire for. Ask for a specific number rather than a range, since employers tend to focus on the lower end of a range.
How to negotiate your job offer in five steps
- Step 1
Get the full offer in writing
Base salary, bonus, equity, holiday and start date. You can only negotiate what you can see.
- Step 2
Know the market rate
Check salary data for the role, level and location so your counter has a reason behind it.
- Step 3
Line up other options
A second offer or active interviews give you leverage, and research links multiple offers to higher pay.
- Step 4
Make one clear counter
Name a specific number, explain why in a sentence or two, and stay warm about the role.
- Step 5
Practise the conversation
Say it out loud before the call. Rehearsing makes it far easier to hold your number when they push back.
Rehearse the salary talk before the real call
PopResume compares your offers side by side and lets you practise the negotiation with an AI recruiter who pushes back, so you can hold your number with confidence.
Salary negotiation FAQ
Is it worth negotiating a job offer?
Usually, yes. In a 2023 Pew Research survey, two in three US workers who asked for more pay got more than they were first offered, and a 2025 NBER field study found tech job seekers who countered earned about 12% more on average. Because future raises are a percentage of your salary, a higher starting point keeps paying off for as long as you stay.
How much should I counter a salary offer?
There's no fixed rule. A 5–10% counter is a reasonable starting point for most offers, and you can aim higher with a competing offer or strong market data. In a 2026 Robert Half survey, 69% of employers said they would go 6–15% above their first offer for an average role. Use the calculator to see what each scenario is worth before you decide.
Can a job offer be withdrawn if I negotiate?
It's rare, and less likely than most candidates fear. Research summarised by UCLA Anderson found employers withdraw offers after a counter far less often than candidates believe. Keep your tone positive, give a reason for your number and make it clear you want the job.
Should I negotiate if I only have one offer?
Yes. A single offer can still be negotiated with market data and a clear case for your value. More offers do help, though: a 2022 study in Labour Economics found workers with multiple offers earned over 10% more than similar workers with one.
How does this salary negotiation calculator work?
It multiplies the offer by your counter to get the extra pay in year one, then grows that amount by your yearly raise for each year you expect to stay, because raises are usually a percentage of salary. Figures are pre-tax and leave out bonus, equity and benefits.
What else can I negotiate besides salary?
Signing bonus, equity, title, holiday, remote work, start date, learning budget and the timing of your first salary review. If the base salary is fixed, these are often easier for an employer to move.