How do you respond to what is your salary?

Navigating the direct question about your compensation, whether it’s your current pay or what you hope to earn next, is one of the most common and anxiety-inducing moments in professional life. The way you answer can significantly shape the trajectory of a negotiation or even derail a promising conversation if handled poorly. The key is preparation, knowing your market value, and understanding why the question is being asked. ^[2]

# Interviews Stage

When an interviewer brings up salary expectations early in the process, your goal should be to delay giving a specific number until you have established your value to the company. ^[6] If you name a figure too soon, you risk anchoring the negotiation too low, potentially leaving money on the table, or naming a figure so high that you disqualify yourself before they fully understand your contributions. ^[1] A strong first response often involves redirecting the focus back to the role itself. You might politely state that you are currently focused on learning more about the full scope of responsibilities and the total compensation package before discussing exact figures. ^[6]

It is important to remember that the interviewer's primary motivation for asking early is often to ensure your needs align with their budget, saving time for both parties. ^[2] If they press, pivot to discussing the role’s requirements rather than your history. A helpful response can be: "I want to ensure I am being compensated fairly for the value I bring to this specific role, but first, could you share the established salary band for this position?". ^[6]

# Stating Range

If the employer insists on a figure before moving forward, providing a well-researched range is generally the recommended strategy over stating a single, inflexible number. ^[1][2] This shows flexibility while still setting boundaries. Your research should be thorough, encompassing salary data for the specific role, industry, geographic location, and your years of experience. ^[2]

When constructing this range, aim for it to be realistic yet slightly ambitious. If your true target is $$100,000$, you might state a range starting at$$98,000$ and going up to $$105,000$. ^[1] A critical consideration here is what your actual minimum acceptable salary is. When giving a range, make sure the lowest number you state is a figure you would still be genuinely happy to accept, rather than creating a large buffer that accidentally sets your floor significantly lower than your true goal. ^[6] This prevents anchoring the negotiation to a number that feels too low relative to your actual market worth.

Furthermore, instead of just delivering the numbers, connect them immediately to your qualifications. This shifts the conversation from a transaction to an investment. For example: "Based on my deep experience with project management software implementation, which I understand is key to this role, I am targeting a total compensation package in the range of $$X$to$\$Y$." This links the expectation directly to their needs, making the number feel earned rather than pulled from thin air. ^[2]

How is a salary package different from a salary?

# Refusal Tactics

Disclosing your current salary is often discouraged, even if the question is framed around expectations. ^[5] In many cases, your past earnings have little bearing on the market rate for the job you are interviewing for now, and revealing them can restrict your future earning potential. ^[3] If the question specifically asks what you currently make, you have the right to politely decline to share that specific data point. ^[5]

Professional deflection is an art. You want to avoid sounding evasive or hostile. Effective scripts focus on redirecting toward the future opportunity:

• "I prefer to keep my current compensation private. However, based on the responsibilities outlined for this position, I am seeking a salary in the range of $[\text{Your Researched Range}]$. I am confident we can agree on a figure that reflects my background and the value I'll bring here." ^[5]
• Another tactic is to focus on the total package: "My current compensation is structured differently, but for this role, I am looking for a base salary around $[\text{Target Figure}]$, plus the expected benefits and bonus structure." ^[3]

Always maintain a positive, business-focused tone. Frame the refusal not as hiding information, but as appropriately centering the discussion on the value proposition of the new role. ^[3]

# Regulation Overview

It is important to be aware of the evolving legal landscape surrounding salary inquiries. In certain jurisdictions, employers are explicitly prohibited from asking about salary history. ^[3] Knowing whether salary history bans are in effect where you are interviewing provides an extra layer of confidence when declining to answer. If such a law exists, you can subtly reference the focus on future compensation: "As you know, many companies are now focusing compensation discussions on the market rate for the role itself, so I'm focused on what this position commands in the current market." ^[3]

This legal shift underscores why basing your answers on market data, rather than past paychecks, is the most forward-looking negotiation strategy. It forces both parties to agree on the worth of the work being hired for, rather than merely granting incremental increases based on previous employment. ^[6]

How do I find out my salary?

# Handling Peers

The dynamic changes completely when the question comes from a colleague, a connection on LinkedIn, or someone in your general network, rather than a hiring manager. When asked by peers, the motivation is often curiosity or comparison, and you have far less obligation to disclose information. ^[4]

In these non-interview situations, brevity and vagueness are your best friends. You do not need to provide a script or a reason. A simple, friendly deflection works well:

• "I’m happy with my compensation package, but I prefer to keep those specifics private." ^[4]
• "Things are going well! I try not to discuss specific dollar amounts with colleagues; it keeps things professional." ^[4]

If you are open to discussing salary trends generally but not your own figures, you can pivot: "While I won't share my exact number, I can tell you that based on my research for this industry, the range seems to be quite wide right now." ^[4] Treating the inquiry lightly and immediately shifting the subject helps maintain goodwill while protecting your financial details. Unlike an interview scenario where the answer impacts a potential contract, in a peer setting, divulging information rarely offers a tangible professional benefit and often just opens the door for comparison or unwanted conversation down the line.