Your job offer came through. You feel happy but the salary falls short of what you hoped for. What now? Many job seekers accept whatever first offer comes their way because they feel asking for more might cost them the opportunity.
The truth? Companies often start with lower offers expecting some back-and-forth. A well-written counter offer letter can help you get the pay you want without hurting your relationship with your future boss. Keep reading to get 15 ready-to-use letter samples that will help you ask for what you’re worth.
Salary Negotiation Counter Offer Letter Samples
Here are 15 different counter offer letter samples you can use as starting points for your salary negotiation.
1. Entry-Level Position Counter Offer
Subject: Regarding Job Offer for Marketing Assistant Position
Dear Ms. Johnson,
Thank you for offering me the Marketing Assistant position at ABC Company. I am very excited about the opportunity to join your team and contribute to your upcoming campaigns.
I appreciate the offered salary of $40,000. After researching similar positions in our area, I’ve found that the typical salary range for this role with my qualifications is between $45,000 and $50,000. Given my recent certification in digital marketing and my internship experience with social media campaign management, would you consider a starting salary of $47,000?
I remain very enthusiastic about working with ABC Company and using my skills to help the marketing team achieve its goals. I look forward to your response and am happy to discuss this further.
Sincerely,
James Smith
555-123-4567
jsmith@email.com
2. Mid-Career Professional Counter Offer
Subject: Job Offer for Senior Developer Position – Salary Discussion
Dear Mr. Williams,
I want to express my sincere thanks for offering me the Senior Developer position. The projects you described during our interviews align perfectly with my career goals, and I’m excited about the possibility of joining your innovative team.
While I’m thrilled about the role itself, I’d like to discuss the compensation package. The offered salary of $85,000 is somewhat below the market rate for senior developers with my specialized experience in cloud architecture and eight years of team leadership. Based on my research and current compensation, a salary of $98,000 would better reflect the value I’ll bring to your organization.
My background in leading agile teams through complete product cycles and reducing deployment times by 35% at my current company demonstrates the immediate impact I can make at your organization. I’m confident that my skills justify this adjustment.
I’m happy to discuss this further and find a package that works for both of us. Thank you again for this great opportunity.
Best regards,
Sarah Johnson
555-987-6543
sjohnson@email.com
3. Counter Offer Highlighting Additional Skills
Subject: Project Manager Offer – Additional Discussion
Dear Ms. Garcia,
Thank you for extending the Project Manager offer to me yesterday. I’m excited about the possibility of joining the XYZ team and leading the upcoming software implementation projects.
The role seems like an excellent fit for my background, and I’m particularly looking forward to applying my PMP certification and Agile methodologies to your team’s workflows. However, I wanted to discuss the proposed salary of $72,000.
In addition to the qualifications we discussed during the interview, I also bring certified Scrum Master credentials and experience with budget management for projects exceeding $1 million. These skills directly apply to the large-scale projects you mentioned your company will undertake next quarter.
Given these additional qualifications, would you consider a salary of $80,000, which better aligns with industry standards for project managers with my complete skill set?
I’m eager to join XYZ Company and believe we can find a compensation package that reflects the value I’ll bring to your team.
Thank you for your consideration,
Michael Chen
555-789-1234
mchen@email.com
4. Counter Offer After Relocation
Subject: Software Engineer Offer – Compensation Adjustment Request
Dear Mr. Patel,
Thank you for offering me the Software Engineer position at Tech Solutions. I am excited about the role and the chance to work on your innovative products.
As we discussed during our interviews, accepting this position requires me to relocate from Austin to San Francisco. While I’m eager to make this move, I’ve researched the cost of living difference between these cities and found that housing costs alone are approximately 65% higher in San Francisco.
The current offer of $95,000 would significantly reduce my standard of living compared to my current situation. Would you consider adjusting the salary to $115,000 to account for the higher living expenses in San Francisco? This adjustment would make my transition smoother and allow me to focus fully on contributing to your team from day one.
I remain very enthusiastic about joining Tech Solutions and believe my three years of experience in full-stack development will allow me to make meaningful contributions immediately.
Looking forward to your thoughts on this adjustment,
Lisa Wong
555-234-5678
lwong@email.com
5. Counter Offer Based on Performance Metrics
Subject: Sales Representative Position – Compensation Discussion
Dear Ms. Roberts,
Thank you for offering me the Sales Representative position at Global Products. I’m thrilled about the opportunity to join your team and help expand your client base in the eastern region.
I appreciate the base salary offer of $50,000 plus 3% commission. However, given my consistent track record of exceeding sales targets by at least 20% for the past three years at my current company, I’d like to propose an adjustment to the compensation structure.
Would you consider maintaining the base salary at $50,000 but increasing the commission rate to 5%? This structure would align my compensation more directly with the value I bring to Global Products through sales performance. It would also motivate me to continue my pattern of exceeding targets, which ultimately benefits both the company and me.
My proven ability to build and maintain client relationships that lead to repeat business makes me confident that this performance-based adjustment is justified.
Thank you for considering this proposal. I’m happy to discuss other compensation structures that reward strong performance.
Best regards,
Thomas Jackson
555-345-6789
tjackson@email.com
6. Counter Offer With Alternative Benefits
Subject: Marketing Manager Offer – Compensation Package Discussion
Dear Mr. Lee,
Thank you for offering me the Marketing Manager position at Creative Brands. I’m excited about the opportunity to lead your marketing team and develop strategies for your upcoming product launches.
I appreciate the salary offer of $78,000. While this is slightly below my target range of $85,000-$90,000, I understand budget constraints can sometimes limit flexibility on base salary.
I’d like to propose some alternatives that might bridge this gap while staying within your budget:
1. A starting salary of $80,000 with a performance review in six months rather than the standard annual review 2. The original $78,000 with an additional week of paid vacation (for a total of four weeks) 3. The original salary with a work-from-home arrangement for two days per week, which would reduce my commuting costs
I remain very interested in joining Creative Brands and believe my seven years of experience growing market share for consumer products will be valuable to your team.
Thank you for considering these options. I’m open to discussing other alternatives that might work for both of us.
Sincerely,
Amanda Peterson
555-456-7890
apeterson@email.com
7. Counter Offer for a Promotion
Subject: Internal Promotion to Team Lead – Salary Discussion
Dear Ms. Wilson,
Thank you for selecting me for the Team Lead position within our Customer Support department. I’m grateful for the recognition and excited about taking on greater responsibilities with the team I’ve been part of for the past three years.
I appreciate the offered salary increase from my current $52,000 to $58,000. However, after researching similar leadership positions both internally and in other companies in our industry, I’ve found that the typical salary range for customer support team leads with my experience level is $62,000-$68,000.
Given the expanded responsibilities of managing a team of eight representatives, implementing our new ticketing system, and developing training materials, would you consider increasing the offer to $64,000? This would better align with industry standards while reflecting the additional value I’ll bring in this new role.
I’m very committed to ABC Company and look forward to growing our customer satisfaction ratings in this new capacity.
Thank you for your consideration,
Robert Kim
Extension: 4567
rkim@abccompany.com
8. Counter Offer With Future Review Date
Subject: Content Strategist Position – Offer Consideration
Dear Ms. Thompson,
Thank you for offering me the Content Strategist position at Digital Media Group. I’m excited about the creativity and collaboration you described during our interviews.
I appreciate the salary offer of $65,000. While I’m enthusiastic about joining your team, my research shows that content strategists with my level of experience and industry background typically earn between $70,000 and $75,000 in our region.
Would you consider a starting salary of $70,000? Alternatively, if budget constraints make that difficult at present, would you consider starting at $67,000 with a guaranteed review after three months based on performance metrics we agree upon now?
During this initial period, I’m confident I can demonstrate the value of my SEO expertise and content planning skills, which have previously resulted in traffic increases of over 40% for my clients.
I’m excited about the possibility of joining Digital Media Group and contributing to your upcoming website redesign project.
Thank you for considering this request,
Daniel Foster
555-567-8901
dfoster@email.com
9. Counter Offer With Education Credentials
Subject: Financial Analyst Position – Compensation Discussion
Dear Mr. Anderson,
Thank you for offering me the Financial Analyst position at Investment Partners. I’m excited about applying my analytical skills to help your clients optimize their portfolios.
I appreciate the salary offer of $68,000. However, given my recently completed MBA with a finance specialization and my CFA Level II certification, I believe a salary of $76,000 would better align with the value I’ll bring to your team.
My advanced education has equipped me with up-to-date skills in portfolio analysis and risk assessment that I’m eager to apply to your client accounts. Additionally, my internship at Goldman Sachs provided me with practical experience in the high-net-worth client segment you mentioned you’re looking to expand.
I remain very interested in joining Investment Partners and contributing to your firm’s continued success. I’m happy to discuss how my specific qualifications match your needs further.
Thank you for your consideration,
Jennifer Martinez
555-678-9012
jmartinez@email.com
10. Counter Offer With Industry Expertise
Subject: Healthcare Administrator Position – Offer Consideration
Dear Dr. Reynolds,
Thank you for offering me the Healthcare Administrator position at Riverside Medical Center. I’m excited about the opportunity to help streamline operations at your growing practice.
The offered salary of $82,000 demonstrates your recognition of my qualifications. However, given my specialized experience in implementing electronic health record systems and my certification in healthcare compliance, I believe a salary of $89,000 would be more in line with the specialized expertise I bring.
My previous work transitioning a 50-physician practice to a new EHR system while maintaining HIPAA compliance directly relates to the challenges you mentioned Riverside is currently facing. This experience will allow me to make an immediate positive impact on your operations and patient care.
I’m enthusiastic about joining Riverside Medical Center and helping you achieve your goals of improved efficiency and enhanced patient experience.
Thank you for considering this adjustment,
William Brown
555-789-0123
wbrown@email.com
11. Counter Offer for Remote Position
Subject: Graphic Designer Position – Compensation Discussion
Dear Ms. Clark,
Thank you for offering me the remote Graphic Designer position at Creative Solutions. I’m excited about bringing my visual communication skills to your client projects.
I appreciate the offered salary of $60,000. After researching comparable remote positions for designers with my 5+ years of experience and proficiency with the Adobe Creative Suite, I’ve found that the standard range is typically $65,000-$70,000.
Would you consider adjusting the offer to $67,000? This would better reflect the market value of my skills while accounting for the fact that I’ll be using my own equipment and workspace as a remote employee.
I’m particularly excited about the branding projects you described and believe my experience with similar clients in the technology sector will allow me to contribute effectively from day one.
Thank you for considering this request. I look forward to the possibility of joining your creative team.
Best regards,
Emily Davis
555-890-1234
edavis@email.com
12. Counter Offer With Specific Value Propositions
Subject: Digital Marketing Specialist – Compensation Adjustment Request
Dear Mr. Nelson,
Thank you for offering me the Digital Marketing Specialist position at Growth Strategies. I’m excited about the opportunity to help expand your clients’ online presence.
While I appreciate the offered salary of $55,000, I’d like to discuss how my specific skills and experience justify a higher starting figure. In my current role, I:
– Increased conversion rates by 28% through A/B testing and landing page optimization – Reduced cost-per-acquisition by 32% by refining PPC campaign targeting – Built and managed email campaigns that generated $280,000 in additional revenue
These measurable achievements demonstrate the value I can bring to your agency and clients. Based on these results and my research on industry compensation, would you consider a starting salary of $62,000?
I’m confident that I can deliver similar results for Growth Strategies and help you exceed client expectations.
Thank you for considering this adjustment,
Christopher White
555-901-2345
cwhite@email.com
13. Counter Offer With Phased Approach
Subject: Operations Manager Position – Compensation Proposal
Dear Ms. Turner,
Thank you for offering me the Operations Manager position at Global Manufacturing. I’m excited about the opportunity to help optimize your production processes and improve efficiency.
I appreciate the salary offer of $92,000. Given my track record of reducing operational costs by 18% at my current company and my Six Sigma Black Belt certification, I believe a salary of $102,000 would better reflect the value I’ll bring to your organization.
I understand that budget adjustments can be challenging mid-year. Would you consider a phased approach with:
– Starting salary of $95,000 – Increase to $102,000 after six months, contingent upon meeting specific performance metrics we agree upon now – An additional performance bonus structure tied to measurable cost savings
This approach allows me to demonstrate my value while giving you time to adjust budgets accordingly. My expertise in lean manufacturing principles and supply chain optimization aligns perfectly with the challenges you described during our discussions.
I’m looking forward to the possibility of joining Global Manufacturing and helping you achieve your operational goals.
Thank you for your consideration,
Jonathan Scott
555-012-3456
jscott@email.com
14. Counter Offer With Market Research
Subject: Data Scientist Offer – Compensation Adjustment Request
Dear Dr. Matthews,
Thank you for offering me the Data Scientist position at Analytics Partners. I’m excited about the opportunity to apply my machine learning expertise to your financial service clients’ challenges.
I appreciate the salary offer of $105,000. I’ve conducted thorough market research on data scientist compensation in the financial sector, including:
– Robert Half Technology Salary Guide, which places data scientists with my qualifications at $112,000-$125,000 – Glassdoor and LinkedIn salary data for similar positions in our city, showing a range of $110,000-$120,000 – Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicating premium compensation for data scientists with finance industry knowledge
Based on this research and my specialized experience with predictive modeling for credit risk assessment, would you consider adjusting the offer to $115,000?
I’m enthusiastic about joining Analytics Partners and believe my skills in Python, R, and SQL, combined with my finance background, will allow me to contribute significantly to your team.
Thank you for considering this request,
Stephanie Hughes
555-123-4567
shughes@email.com
15. Counter Offer for Contract-to-Permanent Position
Subject: Web Developer Contract Position – Rate Discussion
Dear Mr. Taylor,
Thank you for offering me the Web Developer contract position at Tech Innovations. I’m excited about the possibility of working on your client projects with the potential for a permanent role after six months.
I appreciate the offered hourly rate of $45. Given my five years of experience with React and Node.js development and my portfolio of successful e-commerce sites, I believe a rate of $55 per hour would better reflect the market value of my skills.
This adjusted rate takes into account the temporary nature of the initial contract and the lack of benefits during this period. Should we move to a permanent arrangement after six months as discussed, I would be open to revisiting the compensation structure to account for the added benefits and stability.
I’m particularly interested in the healthcare client project you mentioned and believe my experience with HIPAA-compliant applications will be valuable for that work.
Thank you for considering this adjustment. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to Tech Innovations’ growing client base.
Best regards,
Kevin Morris
555-234-5678
kmorris@email.com
Wrap-up: Salary Counter Offer Letters
Negotiating your salary doesn’t need to be stressful. A well-crafted counter offer letter shows professionalism while clearly stating what you want. The key points to take away: research market rates before writing your letter, highlight your specific value, maintain a positive tone, and suggest alternatives when possible.
These sample letters give you a starting point, but make sure to adapt them to your personal situation and the specific job offer. Your worth in the job market comes from your unique skills and experience. A good employer will respect your effort to advocate for fair compensation.
Most importantly, approach salary negotiation as a normal part of the hiring process, not a confrontation. With the right letter, you can move toward a compensation package that works for both you and your new employer.