How to Negotiate Salary via Email (With 12 Sample Emails)

A salary negotiation email thanks the employer for the offer, names the specific salary you want, and gives a short, concrete reason for it. Keep it positive, keep it brief, and end by asking how they would like to move forward.

Below is a copy-ready template, a step-by-step guide to writing your own, and 12 sample emails for the most common situations, from countering a job offer to asking your current boss for a raise.

Quick template

Use this when you have a written job offer and want to counter the base salary. Reply in the same email thread as the offer.

Subject: Re: Offer for [Job title]

Hi [Hiring manager's name],

Thank you again for the offer to join [Company] as [Job title]. I'm excited about the role, especially [specific project, team or goal you discussed].

Before I accept, I'd like to discuss the base salary. Based on my [number] years of experience in [field], my track record of [one specific result], and my research on pay for similar roles in [city or "remote roles"], I'm asking for a base salary of [$X].

If we can get to [$X], I'm ready to accept and can start on [start date]. I'm happy to jump on a quick call if that's easier.

Thank you for considering this.

Best regards,
[Your full name]
[Phone number]

Should you negotiate salary by email?

Email works well for salary negotiation. You can take time to get the wording right, state your number without stumbling, and give the hiring manager something in writing to share with whoever approves the budget.

The trade-off is tone. Email can read colder than you intend, so open warmly and offer a call. If the recruiter has been handling everything by phone, it's fine to reply by email asking for a short call, then follow up afterward with an email that confirms what you agreed.

When to send it

• After you have a written offer. This is when you have the most leverage, because they've already decided they want you.
• Before you accept. Once you say yes, the negotiation is usually over.
• Within a day or two. Reply promptly so they know you're serious. If you need longer, ask for a specific date, such as "Could I have until Friday to give you my answer?"
• For a raise at your current job: after a strong review, a finished project, or a clear increase in your responsibilities, and ideally before budgets are set for the next cycle.

What to do before you write

A good salary negotiation email is short because the thinking happens before you start typing.

Research the pay for the role

Look up the pay range for the job title, level and location. Useful sources include salary sites such as Glassdoor, Payscale and LinkedIn, pay ranges posted in job ads (a growing number of US states and cities require them), industry salary surveys, and people you know in similar roles. Write down the range you find and where you found it.

Pick one number

Choose the specific base salary you'll ask for. It should be toward the top of what your research supports and something you can justify with your experience. Also decide your walk-away number privately, and don't put it in the email.

Know what else is negotiable

If the salary has little room, other parts of the offer often do. Common ones include:

• Sign-on bonus
• Start date
• Job title or level
• Remote or hybrid schedule
• Extra paid time off
• Equity or bonus targets
• Training or certification budget
• Relocation support
• An early salary review (for example, after six months)

List your reasons

Pick two or three reasons the employer will care about: years of relevant experience, a result you delivered, a hard-to-find skill, a certification, or the scope of the role being bigger than the title suggests. Personal expenses (rent, student loans) are rarely persuasive on their own, so lead with value.

How to write a salary negotiation email, step by step

1. Use a clear subject line

If you're replying to an offer, reply in the same thread so the subject stays tied to the offer. If you're starting fresh, be direct. Here are salary negotiation email subject lines you can use:

• Re: Offer for [Job title]
• [Job title] offer: compensation question
• Request to discuss salary, [Your name]
• Following up on the [Job title] offer
• Request for salary review, [Your name]
• Discussing my compensation for [Year]

2. Open with thanks and enthusiasm

Thank them for the offer and say one specific thing you're excited about. This tells them you want the job, which makes them more willing to find room in the budget.

3. Make your ask with one number

State the salary you want as a specific figure, such as "a base salary of [$X]." Vague asks like "a bit more" or "something more competitive" make the employer guess, and they'll guess low.

4. Back it up briefly

Give two or three reasons in a sentence or two. Point to your experience, results and research. Skip long justifications; a short, confident reason reads stronger than a paragraph of explanation.

5. Show flexibility without undercutting yourself

Say you're open to discussing it, and mention other parts of the package you'd consider if salary is fixed. Don't immediately offer a lower number.

6. End with a clear next step

Tell them what happens if they can meet your number ("I'm ready to accept"), offer a call, and thank them. Then sign off professionally. Our guide on how to close an email has more closing lines if you want options.

Phrases to use (and avoid)

Small wording changes make a big difference in how your request lands.

12 salary negotiation email samples

Each sample below covers a common situation. Replace everything in [square brackets], and keep your real reasons specific.

1. Counter offer email after a job offer

Use this when the offer is good but the base salary is lower than you want, and you have a clear number in mind.

Subject: Re: Offer for [Job title]

Hi [Hiring manager's name],

Thank you for the offer to join [Company] as [Job title]. I enjoyed meeting the team, and I'm excited about the chance to work on [specific project or goal].

I'd like to discuss the base salary before I accept. Given my [number] years of experience in [field] and the results I delivered at [Current company], including [specific result], I'm asking for a base salary of [$X].

I'm confident I can make an impact quickly, and if we can agree on [$X], I'm ready to sign. Happy to talk it through on a call if that helps.

Best regards,
[Your full name]
[Phone number]

2. When the offer is below the market range

Use this when your research shows the offer sits below what similar roles pay in your area or industry.

Subject: Re: [Job title] offer, compensation question

Dear [Hiring manager's name],

Thank you for offering me the [Job title] position. I'm very interested in the role and in helping the team with [goal discussed in interviews].

While researching pay for this role, I found that [Job title] positions at a similar level in [city or industry] typically pay between [$X] and [$Y], based on [sources, such as posted pay ranges and salary surveys]. With my experience in [skill or area], I'm asking for a base salary of [$X].

I understand budgets have limits, and I'm open to discussing the full package. Could we find time this week to talk?

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your full name]
[Phone number]

3. When you have a competing offer

Use this only when you really do have another offer. Be honest, polite, and clear that this company is your first choice (if it is).

Subject: Re: Offer for [Job title]

Hi [Hiring manager's name],

Thank you again for the offer. [Company] is my first choice, and I'd love to make this work.

I've also received an offer from another company with a base salary of [$X]. I'd prefer to join your team because of [specific reason, such as the product, the team or the growth path], so I wanted to ask whether you could match or come closer to that number.

I need to give the other company an answer by [date]. If we can reach [$X], I'm ready to accept your offer right away.

Thank you for understanding,
[Your full name]
[Phone number]

4. When the offer is close but not quite there

Use this when the gap is small. A modest, specific ask paired with a ready-to-accept signal is often the easiest yes for an employer.

Subject: Re: Offer for [Job title]

Hi [Hiring manager's name],

Thank you for the offer. It's very close to what I was hoping for, and I'm excited to join the team.

If you can bring the base salary to [$X], I'll accept today. That small adjustment reflects [one reason, such as the extra scope we discussed or my experience with your tech stack].

Let me know what you think. I'm looking forward to getting started.

Best,
[Your full name]

5. Negotiating salary through a recruiter

Use this when an internal or agency recruiter is handling the offer. Give them a clear number and reasons they can pass on.

Subject: Re: [Company] offer for [Job title]

Hi [Recruiter's name],

Thanks for walking me through the offer and for all your help during the process. I'm excited about the role.

Before I accept, could you ask the team whether there's flexibility on the base salary? I'm looking for [$X], based on:

- [Number] years of experience in [field]
- [Specific skill or certification the role needs]
- Pay for similar roles in [city or remote]

If they can reach [$X], I'm ready to move forward. Please let me know if it would help to talk by phone.

Thanks again,
[Your full name]
[Phone number]

For more on working with recruiters, see our guide on how to email a recruiter.

6. Asking for better benefits instead of a higher salary

Use this when the salary is fixed or fair, but other parts of the package matter to you.

Subject: Re: Offer for [Job title]

Hi [Hiring manager's name],

Thank you for the offer. I'm happy with the base salary and excited to join [Company].

I'd like to ask about two other parts of the package:

- [Benefit 1, such as working remotely two days a week]
- [Benefit 2, such as extra paid time off or a training budget]

These would make a real difference for me and help me do my best work in the role. Are these possible?

Thank you for considering it. I'm looking forward to the next steps.

Best regards,
[Your full name]

7. Asking for a sign-on bonus

Use this when the base salary can't move, or when leaving your current job means giving up a bonus, equity or other pay you've already earned toward.

Subject: Re: Offer for [Job title]

Hi [Hiring manager's name],

Thanks for checking on the base salary. I understand [Company] has set ranges for this level.

One more option I'd like to raise: leaving [Current company] before [date] means giving up [an annual bonus / unvested equity] worth about [$X]. Would [Company] consider a one-time sign-on bonus of [$X] to offset that?

If so, I'm ready to accept and start on [start date].

Best regards,
[Your full name]

8. Asking for a salary adjustment for relocation

Use this when the job requires you to move to a city with higher costs, or when you'll have significant moving expenses.

Subject: Re: Offer for [Job title], relocation to [City]

Dear [Hiring manager's name],

Thank you for the offer to join [Company] in [City]. I'm excited about the role and ready to make the move.

Housing and living costs in [City] are notably higher than in [Current city], and the move itself will cost around [$X]. To make the transition work, I'd like to ask for either a base salary of [$X] or a one-time relocation package of [$X].

I'm open to whichever option works best for your team. Could we discuss this on a short call this week?

Sincerely,
[Your full name]
[Phone number]

9. Asking your current employer for a raise

Use this when you've been in your role for a while, your results are strong, and you want your pay to reflect that. Send it ahead of a meeting, not instead of one.

Subject: Request to discuss my compensation

Hi [Manager's name],

I'd like to set up time to talk about my compensation. Over the past [timeframe], I've taken on more and delivered results I'm proud of, including:

- [Result 1, with a number if you have one]
- [Result 2]
- [New responsibility you took on]

Based on that work and pay for similar roles in [city or industry], I'd like to discuss raising my salary to [$X].

Would you have 30 minutes in the next week or two? I'm happy to bring more detail to the conversation.

Thanks,
[Your name]

If you want more help with tone, our guide to writing an email to your boss covers the basics.

10. Asking for a raise after new skills or expanded responsibilities

Use this when you've earned a certification, finished a degree, or taken over work above your current level.

Subject: Salary review request, [Your name]

Hi [Manager's name],

I wanted to share an update and make a request. Last month I completed [certification or qualification], and since [month] I've also taken over [new responsibility, such as managing the vendor budget or leading two direct reports].

That work is closer to the [Next-level title] role, so I'd like to ask for a salary review, with an adjustment to [$X].

Could we talk about this at our next one-on-one? I'd also welcome your view on what you'd need to see from me to support it.

Thank you,
[Your name]

11. Replying when they come back with a lower counter offer

Use this when the employer responds with a number between their original offer and your ask, or says the salary can't move.

Subject: Re: Offer for [Job title]

Hi [Hiring manager's name],

Thank you for going back to the team on this. I appreciate the updated offer of [$X].

I'd like to make this work. If the base salary is final at [$X], could we add [one specific item: a sign-on bonus, an extra week of paid time off, or a salary review at six months]? With that in place, I'm ready to accept.

Thanks again for working with me on this.

Best regards,
[Your full name]

If the employer goes quiet after your counter, a short, polite nudge in the same thread works. See our follow-up email templates for wording.

12. Accepting the offer after a successful negotiation

Use this once you've agreed on terms. Confirm the details in writing so there's no confusion later.

Subject: Re: Offer for [Job title], acceptance

Hi [Hiring manager's name],

Thank you for working with me on the offer. I'm happy to accept the [Job title] position with the following terms:

- Base salary: [$X]
- [Other agreed item, such as a sign-on bonus]: [$X]
- Start date: [date]

Please send the updated offer letter when it's ready, and let me know what I need to complete before my first day.

I'm excited to join the team.

Best regards,
[Your full name]
[Phone number]

Mistakes to avoid

Negotiating after you've accepted

Once you've said yes, reopening salary can damage trust. Raise everything you want to discuss before you accept.

Giving a range that starts too low

If you say "[$X] to [$Y]," expect the employer to focus on the lower figure. Use one number, or make the bottom of your range your real target.

Bluffing about other offers

Only mention a competing offer if you have one. Employers sometimes ask for details, and being caught out can cost you the offer.

Making it about personal expenses

Your rent, debt or childcare costs are real, but the employer pays for the value of the role. Lead with experience, results and research.

Writing too much

A salary negotiation email should be short. Three short paragraphs and a clear number beat a long letter that over-explains.

Ultimatums

"Take it or leave it" language leaves no room for a counter offer. Unless you truly will walk away, keep the door open.

Forgetting to get it in writing

Agreements made on a call should be confirmed by email and reflected in an updated offer letter. Sample 12 does this for you.

Salary negotiation email checklist

Before you hit send, check that your email:

• Replies in the offer thread or uses a clear subject line
• Opens with thanks and one specific reason you want the role
• Names one specific number in [$X] form, not "a little more"
• Gives two or three reasons tied to value, not personal costs
• Mentions other parts of the package you'd consider, if relevant
• Ends with a clear next step and an offer to talk
• Is short enough to read in under a minute
• Has been proofread for names, titles and numbers

When negotiations are done and you've started the job, a quick thank-you email to the people who helped you through the process is a good way to begin on the right foot.