Desired salary on a job application: what to put, and how to work out the number.
The desired salary box is a negotiation that starts before anyone has met you. You can answer it without underselling yourself or screening yourself out, if you do the research first.
Put a researched range whose bottom is a number you would genuinely accept, based on market pay for the role and location. If the field allows text and the posting lists no range, 'Negotiable' or 'Open to discussing based on the full role' is acceptable. If it requires a number, enter your researched figure. When the posting states a range, answer within it.
How to choose your answer
Start with market data
Look up pay for the occupation and your area. TryHired's career pages show official BLS wage ranges by occupation and state, and the salary negotiation planner helps you set a target.
Know your floor
Decide the lowest base salary you'd accept for this job, counting benefits, commute and growth. Make that the bottom of your range, never a hope you'd later regret.
Use the posting
Many postings now list a pay range. Answering inside it signals you've read it; answering far above it may screen you out.
Numbers-only fields
Some forms reject text or ranges. Enter one researched figure, close to the middle of your range, and keep notes so your later answer is consistent.
Fill in the field in five minutes
- Find the official pay range for the occupation and state.
- Check the posting for a stated range.
- Set your floor and a target.
- Enter a range from your floor to your target, or one figure if the form requires it.
- Write the figure down so you answer the same way in interviews.
4 copy-ready answers
Illustrative: names, companies, dates and numbers in these templates and examples are fictional. Replace every bracket with your own true details before you use anything.
Range answer (text field)
When to use: When the form allows a range and the posting lists none.
[$X]–[$Y] base salary, depending on the full compensation package and responsibilities.
Negotiable answer (text field)
When to use: When you have little information and the form accepts text.
Negotiable. I'm targeting a salary in line with the market for [Role] in [City] and the scope of the position, and I'm happy to discuss.
Within the posted range
When to use: When the posting lists a range and you fit its requirements.
Within the posted range of [$A]–[$B]; my target is [$C] given my [number] years of [relevant experience].
Recruiter email follow-up
When to use: When a recruiter asks for your desired salary by email.
Hi [Name], based on my research for [Role] roles in [City] and the responsibilities we discussed, I'm targeting a base salary of [$X]–[$Y]. I'm open to discussing the full package. Best, [Your name]
Disclosure: TryHired makes HIRED, a paid job-search program, so we have a conflict of interest when we mention it. Everything on this page is free to use without buying anything.
Which answer to use
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Posting lists a range | Answer within it. |
| Text field, no range posted | A researched range, or 'Negotiable'. |
| Numbers-only field | One researched figure near the middle of your range. |
| Asked by a recruiter on a call | Give your range; see salary expectations. |
| Your floor is above their range | Decide before applying whether the role is worth it. |
The same move, done two ways
Illustrative example with fictional details.
| Version | Example |
|---|---|
| Weak | Desired salary: 0 (or 'Whatever you think is fair') |
| Strong | Desired salary: $68,000–$76,000 base, depending on the full compensation package and responsibilities. |
Why it matters: A zero or a blank can get an application filtered or invites a low anchor. A researched range is honest, specific and still leaves room to negotiate.
Mistakes to avoid
- Entering 0 or 1 to bypass the field.
- Guessing without checking market pay.
- Putting a floor you wouldn't actually accept.
- Giving a different number later without a reason.
Keep going
Questions people ask
Is it okay to put 'negotiable' for desired salary?
Should I put my current salary?
Should I give a range or one number?
What if my desired salary is above the posted range?
How this page is built
Written by Maid Dizdarevic, a career coach and 8x LinkedIn Top Voice. The steps, scripts and timing guides are practical advice, labelled as advice. We do not publish response rates, success rates or shares of employers, and every example uses fictional details.
- How a specific employer, recruiter or manager will act: practices vary by company, industry and person.
- Legal advice: for contracts, background-check disputes, pay classification or a termination, talk to an employment attorney, the U.S. Department of Labor or your state agency.
- Outcomes: no message, plan or program can promise an interview, a raise or a job.
- TryHired editorial guidance by Maid Dizdarevic, career coach, Nov 4, 2026.