How much should you counter offer on salary?
A standard salary counter offer is 10 to 20 percent above the initial offer. Counter toward the higher end when the offer is low for the market and you have data to justify it, and toward 5 to 7 percent when the offer is already around the market average. Always counter with one exact number rather than a range, and keep the ask reasonable so you do not risk the offer being rescinded.
The standard range: 10 to 20 percent
As a rule of thumb, counter between 10 and 20 percent above the offer. Ten percent is conservative but still enough to reveal whether there is room to move, while twenty percent is more aggressive and should be backed by solid evidence. A reasonable counter often works out to roughly 5,000 to 10,000 more, or 5 to 10 percent, depending on the role and level.
Adjust for where the offer sits
- Offer is low for the market: a 10 to 20 percent counter is justified, since you are correcting toward the going rate.
- Offer is already average for the role: a smaller 5 to 7 percent counter reads as fair and is more likely to land.
- Offer is already strong: consider negotiating non-salary items (signing bonus, start date, equity, remote flexibility) instead of pushing base higher.
Always counter with one exact number
Give a single specific figure, not a range. If you offer a range, the employer will latch onto the lower end, so you effectively negotiate against yourself. A precise number also signals you have done real research, which makes the ask more credible.
Justify the jump with data
Frame the counter as a fair adjustment, not a random demand. Point to market data for people with your skills and experience, and to specific results you bring. When the number is tied to evidence, it is much harder to dismiss.
Do not over-negotiate
There is an upper limit. Pushing well beyond market, or continuing to haggle after a fair counter has been met, can lead an employer to pull the offer entirely. Make one reasonable, well-supported ask, and be ready to accept a fair result.