Quick answer: Research the going rate for the role in your city first, then answer with a realistic range rather than a single number, anchored on your experience and the total package. If the question comes too early, it is fine to ask about the role’s responsibilities before you name a figure. In many US states, employers must now publish a pay range in the job advert, so check the posting before the interview.
In a perfect world, you would ace the interview, land your dream job and walk away with an offer well above what you expected. In reality, interviews are stressful, and the question many candidates dread most is: “What are your salary requirements?”
Whether you are preparing for a job interview this week or simply brushing up, this guide explains how to answer. The examples use US dollars because the original article was written for US job seekers; a short section at the end covers how the same question works in India.
1. Do your homework on pay
“What are your salary expectations?” is one of the hardest questions to answer well, so prepare for it. Before the interview, find out what people in similar roles, with similar experience and in your area, actually earn.
- Salary sites. Payscale and Glassdoor publish self-reported pay by job title and location. Glassdoor’s operations were folded into Indeed in 2025 and 2026, and its salary data now sits behind an Indeed-linked login.
- Government data. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for about 530 metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, including median and percentile pay. The latest release, for May 2025, came out in May 2026.
- The job advert itself. A growing number of states require pay ranges in job postings (see below).
Be mindful of local pay levels. You cannot expect a New York City salary for a job in West Virginia. Without a sense of the range in your city, you risk selling yourself short or pricing yourself out of the running.
2. Give a salary range, not one number
When the question comes up, answer with a range. Rather than saying $80,000, you might quote $75,000 to $85,000. A range shows you have done your research and gives the employer room to make an offer.
Two ways to phrase it:
- “According to my research, this role typically pays between $75,000 and $85,000 a year for someone with my level of experience.”
- “Based on what I know of the industry, I would expect a salary in the range of $75,000 to $85,000 a year.”
Make the bottom of your range a figure you would genuinely accept. Employers often make offers near the lower end.
3. Show that you are flexible
Salary matters, but it is only part of the package. Benefits such as health insurance, retirement contributions, paid leave, bonuses and stock options all affect what a job is worth to you. Without knowing them, it is hard to pinpoint a salary requirement.
- “I am looking for a salary in the range of $75,000 to $85,000, but I am open to discussing it depending on benefits, stock options and other incentives.”
- “My salary requirements are flexible, but I would expect something in the range of $75,000 to $85,000.”
The interview is not usually the time to negotiate, because you have not been offered the job yet. It is the time to lay the groundwork for an amount that works for both sides.
4. Use the question to showcase your experience
Instead of dreading the question, use it to remind the interviewer what you bring:
- “Based on my ten years of experience and my certifications, I would expect something in the range of $75,000 to $85,000.”
- “My requirements are flexible, but with my experience and track record, I would expect something in the range of $75,000 to $85,000.”
Only mention experience and results you can back up. If you have researched the market, you can state your value calmly and professionally.
5. Delay your answer if it comes too early
Ideally, the salary question comes towards the end of the interview. If it is asked before you understand the role, it is reasonable to ask for more information first:
- “I would like to learn a little more about the role and its responsibilities. With that information, I can give you a fair salary range for the position.”
- “Before I answer, could you tell me more about what the position involves? I would also be glad to hear the range you have budgeted for it.”
A thorough interviewer will come back to the question, so always have your range ready. Deflecting a second time usually looks evasive.
Pay transparency and salary history laws in the US
US rules have changed a lot since this article was first written:
- Pay ranges in job postings. States including California, Colorado, New York and Washington require employers to include pay ranges in job adverts. Virginia’s law took effect on 1 July 2026 and Maine’s on 29 July 2026, according to the law firm Cooley; Delaware’s is due in September 2027. Several cities have their own rules. If the advert shows a range, use it as your starting point.
- Salary history bans. Many states and cities bar employers from asking what you earned in your previous job, or from relying on it to set your pay. Where this applies, you can answer with your expectations instead of your current salary.
Rules, thresholds and dates differ by state and city, so check your state labour department’s website for what applies to you.
How this question works in India
In Indian interviews and application forms, the question is usually framed as your “current CTC” and “expected CTC” (cost to company). The same principles apply: research pay for the role and city, give a reasoned expectation, and compare offers on in-hand pay and benefits rather than the CTC headline alone. Our guide to career options in commerce in India covers some well-paid paths if you are still choosing a field.
Quick checklist
- Research pay for similar roles in your region before the interview.
- Give a range rather than a single number, with a bottom figure you would accept.
- Show that you are flexible and that benefits count too.
- Back your range with your skills and experience.
- If asked too early, ask about the role first.
Once the salary question is handled, finish strongly with good questions of your own; see questions to ask in any job interview.
Frequently asked questions
Should I tell an interviewer my current salary?
You do not have to volunteer it. In US states and cities with salary history bans, employers cannot ask or must not rely on it. Elsewhere, you can steer the answer to your expectations for this role.
Is it better to give a range or an exact figure?
A range is usually better because it shows research and leaves room for negotiation. Keep it fairly narrow, and make sure you would be happy with the lower end.
What if the job advert already lists a salary range?
Use it. You can say where in that range you expect to sit, and why, based on your experience.
Can I refuse to answer the salary question?
You can politely delay until you know more about the role. Refusing outright can come across as evasive, so have a researched range ready for when the question returns.
Author Bio: Caitlin Sinclair is the Business Manager at Elements 616. With over 5 years of property management experience, she begins and ends each day loving what she does. She finds joy in helping current and future residents and makes Elements 616 a place everyone loves to call home.
Updated in October 2026 using the US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ OEWS programme pages and published summaries of state pay transparency laws. Employment laws vary by state and city, so check the rules where you live.
