How do I set a salary range for negotiation?

Use role level, market context, your experience, and total package structure to define a credible range rather than guessing one number.

Should my range be narrow or wide?

Wide enough to leave room, but tight enough to signal that you understand the market and the level of the role.

Anchoring too low because you are trying to sound reasonable before you understand the real scope of the role.

Career Intelligence

A practical guide to setting an offer range that protects upside, supports negotiation, and stays credible.

By Steve Ngoumnai February 9, 2026 8 min read

Compensation Mastery

Your offer range shapes the negotiation more than most candidates realize.

If you anchor too low, you make the whole conversation smaller.

If you anchor without logic, you lose credibility.

The right range is confident and defensible.

Use:

One number leaves less room.

A thoughtful range gives flexibility while still protecting upside.

The right offer range helps you negotiate from a stronger starting point without sounding unrealistic.

If you want help setting that range before the next offer conversation, start here: /salary-negotiation/.

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