Phrases for Negotiating Salary in English

Salary negotiation is one of the most high-stakes professional conversations you will have in English. Many non-native speakers either avoid it entirely — accepting the first offer — or approach it too directly in ways that feel confrontational in British or American professional culture. This guide gives you the specific phrases, structure, and strategies to negotiate confidently and professionally.

Why Engineers Avoid Negotiating

The most common reasons developers don’t negotiate:

• They are not sure how to start the conversation
• They worry it will seem greedy or ungrateful
• They are not sure what phrases to use in English
• They worry the offer will be withdrawn

In reality: most employers expect negotiation. An offer is rarely withdrawn because a candidate negotiated politely. The language in this guide will help you do it in a way that is professional, positive, and effective.

The Anchoring Principle

Anchoring means establishing the first number in a negotiation — because it sets the reference point for everything that follows. If you say “£90,000” first, the negotiation happens around that number. If they say “£75,000” first, the negotiation happens around that number.

Strategy options:

1. Let them go first — ask “What is the budget for this role?” or “What range are you working with?”
2. Anchor high — state a number above your target, which gives room to meet in the middle

Neither approach is universally better. What matters is that you know your target number and your walk-away number before the conversation starts.

Opening the Negotiation

When responding to a written offer:

“Thank you so much for the offer — I’m genuinely excited about the role and the team. I was hoping we could discuss the compensation package before I formally accept.”

When asked your salary expectations:

“Based on my research into the market rate for this level in London, and given my background in distributed systems, I was thinking in the range of £90,000 to £100,000. Does that align with the budget for this role?”

When the offer is below your expectations:

“Thank you for the offer — I’m very enthusiastic about the opportunity. The base salary is a little lower than I was expecting based on my research. Is there any flexibility there?”

Core Negotiation Phrases

”I was hoping for…”

This is a gentle, professional way to state your expectation without making it feel like a demand.

“I was hoping for something closer to £95,000. Is that something we could explore?” “I was hoping for a signing bonus to help with the transition — is that something you’re able to offer?"

"Based on my research…”

Grounding your request in market data removes the personal element and frames it as reasonable, not arbitrary.

“Based on my research using Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and a few conversations with peers at similar companies, the market rate for a senior Go engineer in London is typically between £90,000 and £110,000.” “Based on the offers I’ve received from other companies I’m interviewing with, I’m expecting something in the £100,000 range."

"Is there flexibility?”

This opens the door for negotiation without being confrontational. It acknowledges that there may be constraints and invites the employer to explore options.

“Is there flexibility on the base salary?” “Is there flexibility on the remote working arrangement? I’d ideally like to work from home three days a week.” “Is there flexibility on the start date? I have a four-week notice period."

"I’d be comfortable accepting if…”

This is a conditional close — you signal willingness to accept while specifying what would make you comfortable.

“I’d be comfortable accepting at £92,000 if we could also include a £5,000 signing bonus.” “I’d be happy to accept the offer if we can align on the remote working policy.”

Negotiating Beyond Base Salary

If the base salary cannot move, consider other elements:

• Signing bonus — a one-time payment when you join
• Remote working — number of days per week working from home
• Annual leave — additional holidays beyond the standard allocation
• Professional development budget — funding for conferences, courses, and certifications
• Equity or shares — particularly relevant at startups
• Review timing — an earlier-than-standard salary review

“I understand there might not be flexibility on the base salary. Are there other elements of the package we could discuss? For example, a training budget or additional annual leave?” “Would it be possible to schedule a salary review after six months rather than twelve, given that I’d be joining below the market rate?”

Handling Pushback

When they say the budget is fixed:

“I understand. Is that fixed for the base salary, or are there other parts of the package where there might be more flexibility?”

When they ask for a decision quickly:

“I appreciate the timeline — I just want to make sure I’m making the right decision. Could I have until Friday to review the full package and come back to you?”

When you have a competing offer:

“I do have another offer in hand at £95,000. I’m more excited about this opportunity, which is why I wanted to see if we could close the gap before I make my decision.”

What Not to Say

Do not apologise for negotiating:

Avoid: “Sorry to bother you, but I was just wondering if maybe possibly…” Better: “I wanted to have a conversation about the compensation before I accept.”

Do not disclose your current salary unless required: In many jurisdictions, you are not required to share your current salary. Instead, state your expectations.

“I’d rather not disclose my current package — I’m more focused on what’s appropriate for this role and market.”

Do not issue ultimatums:

Avoid: “I won’t accept anything below £100,000.” Better: “I’m hoping we can reach something in the range of £95,000 to £100,000.”

Salary negotiation in English is a skill that improves with practice and preparation. Know your market rate, know your target and walk-away numbers, and use the professional phrases in this guide to have the conversation with confidence. Most engineers who negotiate receive more. The cost of asking is minimal; the benefit can be significant and compounding over your entire career.