Transparency
How we calculate your counter offer range
Every number this tool produces is the result of a defined calculation — not a guess, not a database lookup, and not AI-generated text. This page explains exactly how it works so you can trust, verify, and contextualise the output.
Counter offer range calculation
Your counter offer range is calculated using four multipliers applied to your offered salary: location cost-of-living adjustment, experience level adjustment, industry adjustment, and a negotiation band that targets the 65th–75th market percentile.
Counter range low = Offer × 1.07 (rounded to nearest $500)
Counter range mid = Offer × 1.13 (rounded to nearest $500)
Counter range high = Offer × 1.20 (rounded to nearest $500)
Location multipliers
| City | Multiplier | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 1.28 | BLS OES data + Glassdoor regional index |
| New York, NY | 1.22 | BLS OES data + LinkedIn salary data |
| Seattle, WA / Los Angeles, CA | 1.18 | BLS OES data |
| Boston, MA | 1.15 | BLS OES data |
| Chicago, IL | 1.08 | BLS OES data |
| Denver, CO | 1.06 | BLS OES data |
| Austin, TX | 1.05 | BLS OES data |
| Atlanta, GA | 1.02 | BLS OES data |
| Other US city | 1.00 | National median baseline |
Experience multipliers
| Experience level | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| 0–2 years (entry) | 0.88 |
| 3–5 years (mid) | 1.00 (baseline) |
| 6–10 years (senior) | 1.14 |
| 10+ years (lead) | 1.24 |
Market percentile estimate
Your market percentile is estimated by comparing your offered salary against the calculated market rate for your inputs. A ratio below 0.85 indicates the 28th percentile (significantly below market); above 1.05 indicates the 65th percentile or above.
This is an approximation, not a precise statistical percentile drawn from a salary database. It is designed to give you a useful signal — "your offer is below market" or "your offer is competitive" — not an actuarial precise figure.
Lifetime earnings calculation
The factor 44.9 is the sum of a 40-year geometric series
assuming 3% annual compounding: Σ(1.03^n) for n=0 to 39
This models the compounding effect of a higher starting salary on future raises (which are calculated as percentages of your base). It assumes continuous employment for 40 years at a constant 3% annual raise. It is an illustrative model, not a financial projection.
Data sources
The multipliers and statistical data used throughout this site are derived from the following publicly available sources:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- LinkedIn Economic Graph salary data reports (2023–2024)
- Glassdoor Economic Research salary reports (2023–2024)
- Salary.com compensation benchmarking data
- CareerBuilder compensation surveys (2023–2024)
- Pew Research Center workforce surveys
- SHRM compensation benchmarking surveys
Important disclaimer: All calculations produced by YourSalaryNegotiator are estimates for informational and illustrative purposes only. They are not financial advice, legal advice, or a guarantee of any negotiation outcome. Actual market salaries vary by company, role scope, economic conditions, and individual circumstances. Always supplement these estimates with research from current salary databases (Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, Payscale) specific to your role and company.