How to Answer Salary Questions in an English Interview

Many candidates feel awkward talking about money, and doing it in English makes it worse. Some quote a number that's too low out of fear. Some answer in circles. Some go quiet for too long. But the salary question is a normal part of any interview. The company needs to know whether your expectations fit their budget.

This article won't give you salary figures, because the right number depends heavily on the role, level, country, and company. What you'll get is a way to work out your own numbers, and the English sentences to say them.

The forms the question takes

Salary questions come in several shapes:

What are your salary expectations?

What kind of compensation are you looking for?

What's your expected rate? (for freelance or contract work)

How much are you making now? / What's your current salary?

Does this range work for you? (when the interviewer names a number first)

Know the vocabulary, too:

Term	Meaning
salary / base salary	fixed pay, before extras
compensation / package	the total: salary, bonus, benefits
gross / before tax	before taxes are taken out
net / after tax / take-home	what you actually receive
per month / per year / annual	monthly / yearly
hourly rate	pay per hour
benefits	extras like insurance and paid leave
equity / stock options	ownership shares (usually at startups)

Do your research before the interview

Don't wait for the question to start thinking. Prepare three numbers in advance:

1. Your minimum. Below this, you won't accept an offer. This one is for you only; you don't say it.
2. Your target. A realistic number you'd be happy with.
3. The range you'll say. Usually starting a little below or at your target, and ending a little above it.

Useful sources: pay ranges listed in similar job posts, salary comparison sites, professional communities, and friends in the same field. For overseas companies, look for data for the company's country and for remote roles specifically, since they can differ. Compare several sources rather than trusting one number.

Make sure you'd genuinely accept the bottom of the range you name. Companies often make offers near the low end.

Phrases for stating a range

When you've done your research and you're ready to give numbers, use these patterns. Replace X and Y with your own figures.

Based on my research, I'm looking for X to Y per month.

I'm expecting X to Y per year, before tax.

My expected rate is X per hour for this kind of project.

Then add a line that shows flexibility:

But I'm open to discussing the full package.

That depends on the benefits and the scope of the role.

Three things make the answer clear:

• Currency. Say "US dollars," "euros," or "rupiah." Don't make the interviewer guess.
• Period. Monthly or yearly? Many overseas companies think in annual figures, while monthly pay is common in Indonesia.
• Gross or net. If it's unclear, ask or say which one you mean.

A complete example:

I'm looking for X to Y US dollars per month, before tax. I'm flexible depending on the full package.

Phrases for deferring politely

Sometimes the salary question comes too early, before you understand the role. You can politely put it off:

I'd like to learn more about the role first. Could we talk about salary later in the process?

Could you share the budget range for this role? Then I can tell you if it works for me.

If the interviewer still asks for a number, don't keep dodging. Give your range. Refusing again and again can come across as uncooperative.

Two situations that cause confusion

When they ask about your current salary

In some places this is a normal question. You aren't obliged to share the exact figure, and you shouldn't lie about it. Steer toward your expectations:

I'd prefer to focus on what's fair for this role. My expectation is X to Y.

If you decide to share a number, share the real one and add context:

I'm currently earning X per month. But this role has more responsibility, so I'm looking for X to Y.

When the interviewer names a number first

This is a good position to be in, because now you know their budget. Some responses:

If the number works:

That range works for me. Thank you.

If it's a bit low:

Thank you. That's a bit lower than I expected. Is there flexibility, based on experience?

If you need time:

Thank you for sharing. Can I think about it and reply by tomorrow?

Remote jobs and freelance work

For remote roles with overseas companies, or for freelance projects, a few extra things matter:

• Employment type. Will you be an employee, a contractor, or a freelancer? This affects taxes and benefits. Ask: "Is this a full-time employee role or a contractor role?"
• How you'll be paid. Ask about the currency and the payment method: "How do you usually pay contractors?"
• Project price vs. hourly rate. For freelance work, make sure the scope is clear before you quote a project price.

For general interview preparation, start with the seven-day English interview prep plan.

Common mistakes

1. Naming a number without research. A number pulled from the air can be too low, and it's hard to raise later.

2. Leaving out currency and period. "I want five thousand." Five thousand what? Per month or per year?

3. Apologizing for your number. "Sorry, maybe this is too much, but…" State it calmly. This is an ordinary business conversation.

4. Lying about your current salary. If it comes out, trust is gone. It's better not to share a number than to share a false one.

5. Accepting on the spot without understanding the package. Ask about benefits, leave, and employment type before you say yes.

Summary

Salary questions feel much lighter once you've done the research and prepared the words. Set a minimum, a target, and a range. Always state the currency and the period. You can defer politely, but don't dodge forever, and never lie. This question usually comes near the end, along with your questions for the interviewer and the other items in the most common English interview questions.

During the interview, Repartee shows each question with an Indonesian translation, so you don't misread terms like "compensation" or "package." The salary number itself is always your decision.