How to negotiate a six-figure salary

Anchor to role scope and disclosed range

Start with what the role owns and the range the employer has published. Connect your evidence to the expensive outcomes in that scope. Personal expenses are real, but they do not explain your value to the hiring decision.

Separate every component

Write down base, target bonus, equity assumptions, retirement, healthcare and recurring work costs. Ask which parts are guaranteed, how bonus has paid historically and when equity is valued. Negotiate the components that materially change the annual total.

Make one clear proposal

State the package or base that would let you accept and explain the two or three evidence points behind it. If the employer cannot move base, consider sign-on, equity, review timing or flexibility—but recalculate the package rather than treating extras as free money.

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