Career
May 21, 2025·9 min readSalary Negotiation Playbook for Tech Roles (2025 Data)
Recruiters expect you to counter. Here's how much room they actually have.
Never accept the first offer. In 2025, tech recruiters have 8–22% flex on base and 2–5x flex on equity for senior roles.
**Step 1: Get everything in writing first.** Base, bonus, RSUs, sign-on, refresher, PTO.
**Step 2: Anchor with a range**, not a number. "I'm targeting $205k–225k base plus equity in line with market for this level."
**Step 3: Ask for the components you actually want.** Sign-on is easiest to move (no headcount approval needed).
**Step 4: Use competing offers ethically.** Even a signal ("I'm in final rounds with X") shifts leverage.
**Step 5: Silence is a tactic.** After stating your ask, stop talking.
**Step 6: Get the final offer in writing.** Ask HR for the offer letter before verbally accepting.