Salary Negotiation Letter Template

A well-crafted salary negotiation letter is essential for professionally requesting better compensation. Whether responding to a job offer or seeking a raise, this template will help you present your case effectively while maintaining positive professional relationships.

What This Template Is For

This template helps you structure a compelling salary negotiation letter that: demonstrates your value to the organization, presents market research supporting your request, maintains a professional and appreciative tone, and clearly states your desired compensation. It's designed for both new job offers and current employment situations.

When To Use This Template

Use this template when:

• Responding to a job offer with a counteroffer
• Requesting a salary review in your current position
• Following up after a performance review
• Documenting verbal salary discussions
• Addressing compensation after significant role changes

How To Customize It

Follow these steps to customize your letter:

1. Research market rates for your position and location
2. Gather specific achievements and contributions
3. Quantify your impact with metrics and results
4. Adjust the tone based on your relationship with the recipient
5. Include relevant industry-specific accomplishments
6. Add specific salary figures and ranges
7. Proofread carefully for tone and clarity

Common Use Cases

This template adapts to various scenarios including:

• Entry-level professionals negotiating their first job offer
• Mid-career employees seeking market-rate adjustments
• Senior executives discussing comprehensive compensation packages
• Remote workers negotiating location-based salary adjustments

Best Practices

Follow these guidelines for maximum effectiveness:

• Lead with gratitude and enthusiasm
• Support your request with market research
• Focus on value delivery, not personal needs
• Maintain a collaborative, not confrontational tone
• Be specific about desired numbers
• Include flexibility for negotiation

Template Variations

Adapt the template for:

• Initial job offer responses
• Annual review discussions
• Promotion-related adjustments
• Remote work compensation changes
• Total compensation package negotiations

Success Stories

Real outcomes from using this template:

• A marketing manager secured a 15% increase over initial offer
• A software developer negotiated an additional $20K in base salary
• A sales representative added performance bonuses to their package

Frequently Asked Questions