Real-world examples of salary negotiation after a job offer

Most negotiations begin with a simple email. Before you worry about the perfect number, you need a calm, confident first response. One of the best examples of salary negotiation after a job offer is a short note that buys you time and sets a respectful tone.

Here’s a practical example of that first reply:

Subject: Offer for Marketing Specialist

Hi Jordan,

Thank you again for the offer to join the team as a Marketing Specialist. I’m excited about the opportunity and really enjoyed meeting everyone.

I’d love a day or two to review the details of the offer, including salary and benefits, so I can come back to you with any questions.

Best,

Maya

This is a simple example of negotiation prep: you’re not countering yet, but you’re signaling that you’re taking the offer seriously. Many of the best examples of salary negotiation after a job offer start with this kind of pause instead of an immediate yes.

Example of negotiating when the offer is lower than your range

Let’s move into more concrete examples of salary negotiation after a job offer where the number is clearly too low for you.

Scenario: You expected \(75,000–\)80,000. The offer comes in at $68,000.

Here’s how you might respond:

Hi Alex,

Thank you again for the offer. I’m excited about the chance to contribute to the data team, especially on the upcoming analytics projects we discussed.

Based on my 4+ years of experience in data analysis, my SQL and Python skills, and current market data for similar roles in our area, I was targeting a base salary in the \(78,000–\)82,000 range.

Is there room to bring the base salary closer to $80,000?

I’d be happy to accept at that level and move forward with next steps.

Why this works:

• You show enthusiasm.
• You give a clear range.
• You back it up with experience and market data.
• You end with a specific ask.

For your own research, you can pull market data from sites like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) and salary surveys from universities or professional associations.

Real examples of salary negotiation after a job offer when the offer is “pretty good”

Sometimes the offer is decent, but still below what you could reasonably earn. Many people feel guilty negotiating in this situation, but this is exactly where the best examples of salary negotiation after a job offer come from: respectful, small moves that add up.

Scenario: You’re offered \(95,000. You’d be happy at \)102,000.

Hi Priya,

I really appreciate the offer and I’m excited about the Engineering Manager role. After reviewing the responsibilities and the leadership scope we discussed, I was hoping we could explore a base salary of $102,000.

This would bring the offer in line with my 7 years of experience leading engineering teams and the current market for similar roles in our region.

If we can get to $102,000, I’d be thrilled to accept and start planning my transition.

This is a softer example of negotiation. You’re not asking for a huge jump, but you’re still advocating for yourself. Many real examples of salary negotiation after a job offer look exactly like this: a small, justified bump.

Examples include negotiating when salary is “non‑negotiable”

Sometimes the hiring manager says, “The salary is fixed.” That doesn’t mean the conversation is over. It means the conversation shifts.

Here’s an example of how to handle that:

Hi Sam,

Thanks for letting me know about the salary cap. I understand the constraints.

Given that the base is firm at $60,000, would there be flexibility in other areas of the offer? For example, could we look at:

• A signing bonus
• An additional week of vacation
• Support for professional development or certifications

Any of these adjustments would make it much easier for me to accept and commit long term.

Even if the base pay won’t move, examples of salary negotiation after a job offer often include:

• Signing bonuses
• Extra paid time off
• Remote or hybrid flexibility
• Training budgets
• Early performance review for a raise

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (opm.gov) and many university career centers offer guidance that supports this broader view of negotiation: it’s not just about the base salary.

Best examples of salary negotiation after a job offer for remote and hybrid roles

Remote work has changed how people think about pay. Employers may factor in location, cost of living, and remote policies. You’ll see this in modern examples of salary negotiation after a job offer for fully remote or hybrid jobs.

Scenario: You’re offered a fully remote role at \(90,000, but you know similar companies are paying closer to \)100,000 for the same skills.

Hi Dana,

I appreciate the offer and I’m very interested in the fully remote Product Designer role.

Based on my 6 years of experience, my portfolio of shipped products, and current salary data for remote product design roles, I was targeting a base salary closer to $100,000.

Is there flexibility to move the base to $100,000, or at least into the upper 90s? I’m confident I can deliver strong value quickly, especially on the upcoming mobile redesign.

This kind of example of negotiation combines remote-specific context (remote pay bands) with concrete value (portfolio, shipped work). For your own research, you can compare ranges on sites like BLS, major job boards, and industry salary reports.

Example of negotiating a higher title and future raise

Sometimes the company truly can’t move the salary today, but they can change the title or commit to a review timeline. Many real examples of salary negotiation after a job offer include this kind of creative solution.

Scenario: Offer is at your minimum, but the title feels too junior.

Hi Luis,

Thank you again for the offer. I’m enthusiastic about joining the team.

While I understand the budget constraints on salary right now, I’d like to explore whether we could adjust the title from “Coordinator” to “Specialist” to better reflect the responsibilities we discussed, especially the ownership of vendor relationships and reporting.

In addition, would it be possible to schedule a performance and salary review at the six‑month mark, with the potential for an adjustment based on results?

These changes would make it much easier for me to commit to the role and grow with the company.

This is a good example of salary negotiation after a job offer that isn’t only about money. A stronger title can help your long‑term earning power, and a defined review date gives you a clear path forward.

Real examples of negotiating when you have another offer

If you have more than one offer, you’re in a stronger position—but you still want to be professional. The best examples of salary negotiation after a job offer with competing offers are honest but not manipulative.

Scenario: Company A offers \(85,000. Company B, your top choice, offers \)80,000.

Hi Morgan,

Thank you again for the offer. I’m very excited about the role and, to be transparent, your team is my first choice.

I do have another offer at \(85,000 for a similar position. Given that, is there room to increase the base salary for this role to \)85,000 so that I can confidently accept and join your team?

I’d much prefer to work with your organization, and aligning the salary would make that decision straightforward.

This example of negotiation is direct, polite, and specific. You’re not making up numbers, you’re not threatening—you’re simply stating facts and giving them a chance to respond.

Examples include negotiating benefits in 2024–2025

In 2024–2025, many candidates are paying closer attention to health benefits, mental health support, and flexibility. Negotiation examples include asking about:

• Mental health coverage and Employee Assistance Programs
• Remote or hybrid days
• Professional development budgets
• Family leave policies

Here’s a short example of salary negotiation after a job offer that leans into benefits instead of base pay:

Hi Taylor,

Thank you for walking me through the offer details. The salary works for me, and I’m excited about the role.

Before I accept, I’d like to ask whether there’s any flexibility around benefits. In particular, I’m interested in:

• Support for professional development (courses, conferences, or certifications)
• Clarity on mental health coverage and counseling benefits

These benefits are important to me for long‑term sustainability and performance.

For background on mental health and work, you can explore resources from the National Institute of Mental Health (nimh.nih.gov) and workplace wellness research from universities such as Harvard (hsph.harvard.edu). These sources reinforce why it’s reasonable to consider benefits as part of your negotiation.

A simple framework you’ll see across the best examples

If you look closely, most strong examples of salary negotiation after a job offer follow a similar pattern:

1. Gratitude and enthusiasm
   You start by thanking them for the offer and reinforcing your interest.

2. Clear, calm ask
   You state what you’re hoping for—salary, bonus, benefits, title, or review timeline.

3. Brief justification
   You connect your ask to experience, scope of responsibilities, or market data.

4. Collaborative tone
   You invite a conversation: “Is there room…?” or “Would it be possible…?”

You can plug almost any of the real examples of salary negotiation after a job offer into this framework and see how naturally they fit.

FAQ: common questions and short examples of what to say

What is a polite example of asking for more salary after a job offer?
Here’s a short script:

Thank you again for the offer. Based on my experience and the responsibilities of the role, I was hoping for a base salary of $X. Is there any flexibility to move the offer in that direction?

When should I negotiate—by email or phone?
Many examples of salary negotiation after a job offer start by email because it gives you time to think and edit. For more complex back‑and‑forth, a short call can be helpful, followed by a confirmation email.

Can I negotiate if I’m early in my career?
Yes. Even entry‑level candidates can negotiate. A simple example of this is:

I’m very excited about the offer. Based on internship experience and current entry‑level ranges I’ve seen, I was hoping for something closer to $X. Is there any flexibility?

What if they say no to everything?
You still win clarity. At that point, you decide whether the offer, as is, supports your financial and personal needs. It’s okay to walk away if it doesn’t.

Are there examples of non‑salary items I can negotiate?
Yes—common examples include signing bonuses, vacation days, remote work days, relocation support, professional development budgets, and timing of your first performance review.

Negotiation doesn’t have to sound aggressive or awkward. With these real examples of salary negotiation after a job offer, you can borrow language that’s respectful, confident, and realistic—and then adjust it to sound like you. The goal isn’t to “win” against the employer; it’s to start the relationship on terms that work for both of you, including you.