How to Put Salary Requirements in a Cover Letter

If you're changing jobs, you may need to clarify what salary you expect in your cover letter.

Whether you're moving up in your career or changing careers entirely, you may experience an increase or decrease in salary when applying for a new job. Unless the company specifically requests it in the job description, including your desired salary is generally not part of a basic cover-letter format. However, in some cases you may need to put your salary requirements in your cover letter. In such a case, you should do it tactfully but clearly.

Instructions

1. Research the common salary for the job that you're applying for. Take your experience and education into consideration and write down what you feel is a reasonable salary range.

2. Write a statement in the closing paragraph of your cover letter disclosing this range. If the company requested you divulge this information, say so, such as "As per your request..." State the salary range: "I believe an acceptable salary range for this job is between $56,000 and $60,000."

3. Mention if you are willing to negotiate in the statement. However, don't state otherwise (in other words, don't write "This range in non-negotiable").

References

• Salary.com: Salary Talk

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• My Salary: Salary Wizard
• Nothing but Cover Letters: Sample Cover Letter with Salary Requirements