How to Answer “What Are Your Salary Expectations?” in an Interview

During your interview process, you may be asked about your salary expectations. Companies typically set a salary range for each role, including a low, mid, and high end. The amount they offer will likely depend on their top candidate’s experience and skill set. For example, a company’s hiring range for a data scientist is £38,000 to £62,000. A candidate with less experience may get the low end of the salary range, while an incredibly experienced candidate may get the high end. 

During the interview process, a recruitment consultant or human resources officer will likely check whether your expectations align with their range. The question can be challenging because candidates fear providing a number that’s too low or too high. 

You must find a good salary that you feel positive about accepting and will support your desired lifestyle. Your work has value and should be treated accordingly. Discover how you can answer the question, “What are your salary expectations?” when it comes up during an interview. 

How to prepare for the question 

Before you get to your interview, spend time researching your value. Several factors affect salary. Learn the market rate for the type of work you do and how other considerations affect that number, such as your location and experience and the type of company you work for. 

For example, a graphic designer with six years of experience in London will likely command a higher salary than a designer with two years of experience in Cheltenham. One who works for a major creative agency may earn more than another working for a small non-profit. 

It’s also worth noting that pay varies by industry and sector. Public and non-profit sectors may not offer high salaries compared to the private sector, but they tend to offset that disparity by promising greater benefits such as a pension, annual leave, and healthcare. 

In conducting research, it’s helpful to determine two pieces of information for yourself: 

• A range: This is the range you’d be comfortable accepting at either the low, mid, or high end. For example: £23,000 to £34,000. 

• A specific number: This is the offer you want to get. For example: £30,000.

How to research salaries 

Tools are available to help you discover what similar titles earn. Job search sites, like Indeed and Glassdoor, or dedicated salary sites, like Payscale, offer salary research tools. You can also turn to the National Careers Service, which tracks the vast majority of job titles in the country and provides median annual salary data.  

Deepen your research by investigating “compensation trends” or “industry pay” to get a better idea of what your skill set is worth. Understanding what’s happening in various industries from a business perspective can help you determine a potential competitive salary. For example, if there’s a current tech skills gap, certain skill sets are in high demand and may command higher salaries as companies search for new employees who can fill crucial needs. 

How to answer the question about your salary expectations 

Even when asked, “What are your salary expectations?” experts generally advise against being the first to state a number. In that case, let’s go over some ways to handle the question, “What are your salary expectations?” once it comes up during your interview: 

1. Provide a range.

As much as possible, hold off from sharing a specific number. Yes, you’ve done the research and know exactly what you want to get, but that’s key information to keep private in the early stages of an interview. 

Instead, providing a range is better because it shows you’re flexible while still giving you some control. Try to keep your range to around or under £10,000, for example, £32,000 to £42,000 or £68,500 to £69,500. 

Sample answers: 

• I’d be happy to discuss things more specifically as this interview process continues, but at the moment, I can share that I’m looking for a range between £54,000 and £64,000. 

• Based on my experience and the market rate for this work, I’m looking for a range between £54,000 and £64,000. 

2. Reverse the question. 

One of the reasons candidates don’t like answering the question is that it gives employers more power. You can turn the recruiter’s or hiring manager’s question around by inquiring about their budget for the role. That way, if you provide an answer, it’s informed.  

Sample answers: 

• Thanks for asking. Based on the responsibilities you anticipate, what is the salary range for this role? 

• Before I answer that, can you share the salary range for this role?  

3. Delay answering.

When you get this question early in an interview, it’s fair to delay answering until you have more details. At this point, the recruiter may have shared some of the responsibilities, but it won’t be until you spend additional time with the hiring manager to get a broader picture of the work. Explain that you’d like to wait until you have more information about the role before providing a range. 

Sample answers: 

• I’m really excited about this opportunity, but I’d prefer to hear more about the day-to-day responsibilities before giving a salary range. 

• Before discussing my salary expectations, I’d appreciate hearing more about this role, what I would be responsible for, and the potential impact you hope I’d have. 

• Can you share more about what this role would entail? I’d like to have a better idea before discussing potential salaries. 

4. Negotiate.

It’s important to negotiate your salary. Often, even if you’re asked to supply a number and aim to answer with a range instead of a specific amount, you should negotiate for more because companies expect it. 

Generally, if you receive an offer from a company, they will give you a period of time to consider it and accept or decline. Use that time to craft a response. 

Compensation flexibility 

There may be times when a company’s budget is firm, and there isn't much flexibility regarding salary. When you’re interested in the role, you can ask to explore other options outside of salary, such as: 

• Annual leave: If your company offers a set number of vacation days each year, can it increase the amount you get to offset the salary difference? 

• Benefits: Are the benefits robust enough to negate the salary difference? If not, are there any additional benefits you can discuss? 

• Stocks: Can the company increase the amount of stock it offers if it offers employees stock? 

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To effectively answer the interview question, “What are your salary expectations?” research salary ranges beforehand and provide a range during the interview rather than a specific number. You can also try deflecting the question or delaying your answer until you learn more about the role.

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