What do you say when someone asks how much you make?

Here are a few honest ways to tackle the question:
  1. Tell the truth. Be honest about what you make, but also say how much money you'd require to accept the new position. ...
  2. Explain what you'd like to make. ...
  3. Don't say exactly what you'd like to make, but offer a salary range. ...
  4. Turn the question on its head.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on money.usnews.com


How do you respond when someone asks how much you make?

If someone asks you how much money you make, here is how to respond.
  1. Be Polite. In most cases, a person asking about your salary isn't trying to be rude or inappropriate. ...
  2. Do a Little Digging. ...
  3. Don't Succumb to Pressure. ...
  4. Consider the Goal.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on staffingagencyatlanta.com


How do you answer what is your income?

How to Answer, 'What's Your Expected Salary?'
  • Research the market and salary trends. ...
  • Consider giving a salary range, not a number. ...
  • Diplomatically turn the question around. ...
  • Now it's time to give a number, not a range. ...
  • Always be truthful.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on roberthalf.com


Should you tell someone how much you make?

Reveal income if your income is equal to the median income of your peer group (industry, level, experience) up to +15% over. If you are making any more, then it's probably best not to reveal and speak in generality. Any income below 115% of the median income of your peer group is fine.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on financialsamurai.com


Why do friends ask how much money I make?

It is absolutely possible that your friends are wondering what you earn because they're interested in finding work in your field and are hoping to anticipate an approximate salary. If you're not sure, ask why they want to know and then give a range – or a bop to the nose, depending on their answer.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on monster.com


Ally Bank | Financial Etiquette: What Do You Say When Someone Asks How Much You Make?



Should you tell people about your money?

Easy Fix — Don't Talk About It!

The less we talk about it, the less we spin that conversation up, and the less detail we provide, the less "counting of our money" other people can do. There's no good that comes of it, so unless we're looking for some unwanted attention, there's no upside in sharing it — ever!
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on startups.com


Is it rude to ask how much you paid for something?

It can be very rude and unbecoming of the asker. It is OK to ask, though, based on two things: your relationship with the person, and if you plan to purchase that item yourself. For instance, if you see someone in a beautiful jacket, you can ask because it's that time of year and you want to get one for yourself.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on chicagotribune.com


Why you should talk about your salary?

Salary discussions can help you negotiate higher pay.

The conversation about pay at a new job is more likely to be based on actual market rates for your role and experience level, rather than what other companies have paid you in the past.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ivyexec.com


Should you talk about your salary with friends?

“Never share your salary with a co-worker,” McIntosh says. “There's no scenario where this works out well. If you're earning more than they are, they'll be unhappy or even resentful. They could also cite your salary in a discussion with your boss, which is bound to reflect badly on you.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on money.usnews.com


Do people talk about how much they make?

In 2019, InHerSight found that 36% of women say that a male colleague has told them how much he makes. If they don't want to share their pay information, you might say, “I totally get it. No one likes to talk about money.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on fastcompany.com


How do you discuss salary in an interview?

By the second interview, it's usually acceptable to ask about compensation, but tact is key. Express your interest in the job and the strengths you would bring to it before asking for the salary range. Make the employer feel confident you're there for more than just the paycheck.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on roberthalf.com


How do you respond when a coworker asks your salary?

Be Inquisitive. As Miss Manners often recommends, a good response to any intrusive question is to turn it around by replying, “Why do you ask?” Then if the questioner is interested in getting a raise, for example, you can point them toward online resources to assess salary averages in their field. Be Firm.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on fastcompany.com


What to say when you don't want to disclose your salary?

Answer: “I signed an agreement with my previous/current employer that I would not reveal my salary; it's confidential.” If you're brazen enough, then ask “What is your salary?”
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on quora.com


Why you shouldn't tell your salary?

Without the crucial information about how much your income is, and what you can actually afford, others will not be able to tell. They would find you spend on something and hold back on something else, and not be able to judge or interfere.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on economictimes.indiatimes.com


Can you discuss your salary?

This law means employers cannot legally discipline anyone for discussing their work pay, and employers cannot legally have any clauses in company contracts that stop workers from talking about their salaries. So in strict legal terms, no, your employers can't say you're not allowed to chat about what you earn.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on metro.co.uk


Can you talk about how much you make at work?

Under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA or the Act), employees have the right to communicate with other employees at their workplace about their wages.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nlrb.gov


When should you discuss salary?

As a general rule of thumb, it's best to wait until the hiring manager brings up the topic. Best case scenario, a company lists the position's salary range on the job posting, and you can use that to best determine if the job and starting salary fit your needs before you even apply.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on topinterview.com


Can I be fired for talking about my salary?

No, you cannot be fired for discussing wages at work. The majority of employed and working Americans are protected from discipline exercised simply due to protected classes, such as age, gender, race, and so forth.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on attorneymahoney.com


How do you ask someone how much they make?

If you're asking about salary, use the word “compensation” rather than “money and ask for a range rather than a specific number. Likewise, if you want to find out about work-life balance, it may be more useful to approach the topic in terms of “office culture.”
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on macslist.org


Why is discussing salary taboo?

It's an outdated norm and unfair violation of our freedom of speech that penalizes women and lowers all workers' leverage when negotiating for a fairer share of company resources. You won't ask for a raise that you deserve if you don't know and can't find out that you're being underpaid.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on washingtonpost.com


Can I ask how much money someone makes?

California's ban prohibits private and public employers from seeking a candidate's pay history.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hrdive.com


How do you discuss salary with a friend?

Start with yourself, and make it a two-way conversation. Pose a topic/question that's been on your mind, and then share your own experiences first. For example, “It's always been hard for me to talk about money, but I'm preparing for job interviews, and want to be ready to talk about the pay.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thelily.com


Should I tell my girlfriend how much I make?

Starting a conversation with your partner about salary can be rough, especially when you're just getting to know one another. But it is part of being a responsible adult and partner these days. There's no right or wrong way to talk money, even though it may seem uncomfortable.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on payscale.com


What does it mean when a guy tells you his salary?

If your guy discusses his salary with you or if he makes big financial decisions with your input, then he probably sees a future together. If you two own things together, like a home or car, then things are likely very serious. Have a talk with him after a few months.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on wikihow.com


Can you lie about your current salary?

Muse Career Coach, Theresa Merrill, advises people to be honest about their current or past salary. Misrepresenting anything about your work history in an interview or on an application is “unethical,” and therefore unadvisable.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on themuse.com