A strong job-offer counteroffer letter is a short, professional email that thanks the employer, confirms your interest, states exactly what you would like changed, and briefly explains why. Before you write, review the full offer, research comparable pay for the role and location, and decide which terms matter most to you. A counteroffer is a request for discussion—not a formula that guarantees a higher offer.
Before you write: review the offer and set priorities
Read the complete written offer and note its response deadline. Compare the terms with your needs, not just the headline salary. You may be able to discuss base pay, a bonus, relocation assistance, start date, schedule or work location, paid time off, professional development, benefits, or the timing of a compensation review. The employer may not have flexibility on every item.
Choose your top priorities and decide privately what you would need in order to accept. If you want to raise several requests, rank them and make them together where practical, so the employer can consider the whole package and suggest alternatives. The University of Texas at Austin Career Services recommends prioritizing negotiation points; see Negotiating Your Offer.
If you need more time
Ask before the deadline rather than letting it pass. Thank the employer, explain that you are reviewing the offer, and propose a specific date to respond. If you have multiple offers with different deadlines, the University of Maryland University Career Center advises asking the employer with the nearest deadline for more time. Its Offers & Salary Negotiation guidance also recommends understanding the full offer before responding.
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Research a specific, defensible request
For a salary counter, compare roles with similar responsibilities, seniority, and location. Consider your experience and skills, the role’s scope, and any salary band shown in the job posting. Resources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Glassdoor, and Payscale can help you investigate pay; use figures that are relevant to your role and location, and do not claim to have verified data you have not checked. Colorado’s Salary Negotiation career guidance also points candidates toward compensation research.
Ask for a concrete figure and state its basis—for example, annual base salary for comparable roles in the same location. Do not treat a percentage as a universal rule. The University of Colorado Boulder suggests, in its own career-service context, that a possible opening counter might be 10–20% above an offer in the low range or 5–7% above an offer around the average range. These are suggestions for possible opening requests, not outcome statistics or a guarantee that an employer will agree. Geography, career level, education, skills, and the employer’s pay range all affect what is reasonable.
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What to include in the letter or email
- Subject line: Make the purpose easy to identify, such as “Offer for [Role] — compensation discussion.”
- Thank-you and interest: Thank the hiring manager, name the role, and say that you are enthusiastic about the opportunity.
- Specific request: Identify the term in the offer and state the change you are asking for. If you have more than one request, separate them so each is easy to consider.
- Brief rationale: Connect the request to relevant compensation information, the role’s responsibilities, or a specific skill or result you would bring.
- Collaborative close: Reaffirm your interest and invite a conversation about the request or the package as a whole.
Keep the tone warm, direct, and professional. Make a request rather than issuing an ultimatum unless a particular term is genuinely a condition of accepting. Proofread names, figures, and dates before sending. Indeed’s How To Write a Letter for Counteroffer: Tips and Examples describes both a formal business-letter format and a shorter email approach.
Counteroffer email example
Subject: Offer for [Role] — compensation discussion
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Thank you for offering me the [Role] position. I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to [team or company priority]. After reviewing the offer and researching compensation for comparable roles in [location], I’d like to discuss whether the annual base salary could be adjusted to [specific amount]. My experience in [relevant skill or result] would help me contribute to [specific need or responsibility].
I’m very interested in joining the team and would welcome a conversation about the full package. Please let me know what might be possible.
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Thank you,
[Your name]
Replace every bracketed detail with accurate information. The salary amount should be a researched request, not an arbitrary increase. The structure follows guidance from Indeed and the University of Florida Career Connections Center’s Salary Negotiation Guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If salary is fixed, ask about another term
If the employer says the base salary cannot change, decide whether another part of the offer would make a meaningful difference. For example, if it fits your priorities, you could write: “If the base salary is fixed, could we discuss [a signing bonus, relocation assistance, start date, schedule or work location, paid time off, or professional development support]?” Ask for a particular change where possible, and be prepared for the employer to have limits on that term too.
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After you send it
Be ready for the employer to accept, decline, or make a different proposal. Keep the discussion professional and respond within the agreed timeframe. If you reach an agreement, ask for the revised terms in writing and check that the document reflects what you discussed before accepting. Indeed’s counteroffer guidance and the University of Maryland’s negotiation guidance both emphasize documenting the agreed terms.
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