How to Include Salary Requirements in Resumes w/ Examples

Should you list salary requirements in a resume? Rarely and only if the employer has asked. Here, we’ll show you how to put salary requirements in a resume and provide examples to follow so that you nail it.

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What are salary requirements + benefits

“Please include salary requirements” or “mention your expected salary” are phrases you might encounter in a job post or ad. The term “salary requirements” refers to the money and compensation you need to accept a job offer, including benefits.

Your salary requirements should factor in:

Your work experience level
How much education the role requires
Your skills
The average salary range for similar positions
The cost of living where you reside

Why listing salary expectations in a resume can benefit you

It will only benefit to include salary requirements when the employer has requested this information.

Including salary expectations on your resume or cover letter is not standard or professional! If the employer hasn’t prompted you to do so, including your salary requirements, it may hurt your job chances!

The reason employers request salary requirements on your resume is so that they know if you’re a good fit to hire. It’s in their best interest to hire people satisfied with the salary offered so they don’t go job-hopping to another position.

So, mentioning your salary requirements in your resume or cover letter can help you convince employers you’ll be a smart hire for them and that your needs meet theirs. It also shows you followed the directions of the ad, giving you an advantage over candidates who overlooked their requests.

Plus, mentioning your salary expectations up front can also take pressure off during the interview process. Since you’ve already outlined your salary expectations, moving forward to an interview is a sign that the employer is willing to negotiate within your salary range.

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How to put salary requirements in a resume: tips

If a company requests that you include information about salary on a resume or cover letter, there are a few things to keep in mind. These tips will help you include your salary history or expectations without damaging your negotiating power.

1. Do research. To be sure your salary request is reasonable, research the industry wage standards in your field or consult a salary calculator. These tools will have you input information, such as the job title, your highest level of education, experience level and ZIP code, to show you the median salary for that job in your area.

2. Keep your figures in a flexible range. Include a salary range. At the top of the range, put the amount you’d like to earn; at the bottom, put the lowest amount you’d feel comfortable accepting. Here’s a salary resume example: “Desired salary range $55,000-$65,000 per year.”

3. State your salary is negotiable. Many jobs include compensation packages and benefits like stock options or advancement opportunities like training.

If you’re flexible, you could state, “Salary is negotiable depending on benefits and advancement opportunities.”

4. Adjust your salary request for each job. Companies offer different compensation levels depending on their size and location. For example, larger companies usually have larger budgets than smaller companies, thanks to their size and success. The job’s location also affects the salary offered. Make your request considering these factors.

5. Keep it short. Keep your salary expectations section brief; it should be no more than a single sentence. Your resume should focus on why you deserve the position rather than what you want to gain.

Before you follow these guidelines, ask yourself, “Should I include salary requirements in a resume?

Including salary on a resume should generally be avoided unless specifically requested by a potential employer.

Following the above rules gives you the best opportunity for a more productive salary discussion once you receive your employment offer.

Listing expected salary in a resume: examples

Here are two examples of listing salary requirements in a resume so you can see where to list it toward the end of your document.

Include all the standard resume sections, such as your contact information, professional summary, work experience, skills and education, before mentioning your desired salary.

Salary in a resume example #1
Kenneth Smith
kenneth.smith@––––––––.com
Houston, Texas

(432) 555-5555

Professional Summary
Detail-oriented administrative assistant with extensive experience coordinating office management and special projects with high efficiency. Possesses a solid ability to manage complex tasks and prioritize competing demands. Skilled in developing and maintaining detailed administrative and procedural processes that reduce redundancy, improve accuracy and efficiency, and achieve organizational objectives.

Work Experience
Administrative Assistant | 2015-present
GTX Corporation | Houston, TX

Efficiently manage and organize office operations, including scheduling, document preparation, and data management.
Handle communications, including drafting correspondence and coordinating internal and external meetings.
Conduct comprehensive research to support executive decision-making and report findings concisely.
Implement streamlined administrative systems, improving office workflow and efficiency.
Facilitate collaboration between departments to ensure smooth operation of company projects.

Office Manager | 2012-2015
Quantum Consultancy | Houston, TX

Oversaw daily administrative operations, including staff supervision and budget management.
Coordinated logistics for corporate events and meetings, enhancing company culture and client relations.
Maintained the company’s filing system, ensuring confidentiality and easy access to information.
Implemented cost-saving measures, significantly reducing overhead expenses.

Administrative Coordinator | 2010-2012
Henderson & Lee Law Firm | Houston, Texas

Managed client appointments and communications, fostering positive relationships.
Prepared legal documents and correspondence, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
Assisted with case research and documentation organization for trial preparation.

Skills

Exceptional organization and time management.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and office technology.
Strong written and verbal communication.
Effective problem-solving and decision-making.
Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Education
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
University of Houston

Expected Salary
Between $42,000 and $52,000 annually, negotiable based on the company’s compensation package

Salary in a resume example #2

Lucinda “Lulu” Esperanza
lulu.esperanza@–––––––.com
Austin, Texas
(512) 555-5555

Professional Summary
Dynamic and results-oriented Project Manager with over 8+ years of experience in successfully driving end-to-end project delivery in the technology sector. Expert in agile and waterfall project management methodologies, adept at leading cross-functional teams to exceed project expectations while meeting budget and time constraints. Committed to fostering strong stakeholder relationships and delivering exceptional value to clients.

Work Experience

Senior Project Manager | 2017-Present
Innovatech Solutions | Austin, Texas

Spearhead a portfolio of projects with budgets totaling over $5M, achieving a 95% on-time delivery rate.
Implement agile methodologies, improving project delivery speed by 30% and team productivity by 40%.
Manage cross-functional teams of up to 20 members, fostering collaboration and high performance.
Conduct risk management planning, identify potential issues, and develop mitigation strategies, reducing project risks by 50%.
Enhance client satisfaction scores by 25% through improved communication strategies and stakeholder management.

Project Manager | 2014-2017
TechWave Corporation | Austin, Texas

Led software development projects that enhanced the company’s product offerings, resulting in a 20% increase in customer acquisition.
Coordinated the efforts of development, design and QA teams to ensure the seamless execution of project plans.
Developed and maintained comprehensive project documentation, enabling transparent communication and project tracking.
Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers, ensuring cost-effective resources and services.

Assistant Project Manager | 2012-2014
Digital Frontiers | Austin, Texas

Supported project planning and execution for digital marketing campaigns and website development projects.
Assisted in managing project schedules, budgets, and resource allocation, ensuring projects were delivered within scope.
Facilitated team meetings and liaised between the project team and external stakeholders.

Skills

Proficient in Agile and Waterfall methodologies.
Excellent leadership and team management.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Effective communication and stakeholder engagement.
Proficient in project management software (JIRA, Asana, MS Project).

Education
Master of Science in Project Management
University of Texas, Austin

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Texas State University, San Marcos

Certifications

Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

Desired Salary
Between $74,000 and $87,000 annually

Key takeaways

To recap the main points about how to include salary requirements in resumes:

Only list salary requirements in a resume if explicitly requested by the employer.
Submitting your salary requirements when the employer hasn’t mentioned them may hurt your job chances.
Salary requirements encompass a base salary, benefits and compensations that comprise your total package.
When asked for, stating your salary expectations can demonstrate you follow instructions and ease salary negotiations later.
Before you cite your salary range, research what compensation is standard for this occupation and industry.
Present a reasonable salary range and state your flexibility, if applicable.
Adjust your salary expectations based on the size and success of the company you’re applying to.

Are you ready to create a resume that wins your desired salary?

Our Resume Builder tool makes it simple, guiding you step-by-step to craft a resume that stands out to employers and perfectly aligns with your salary expectations.

Start building your future today and land the job you deserve with confidence.

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