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A competitive salary refers to a compensation package offered by an employer that is on par with or comparable to what other companies in the same industry and region are paying for similar roles. It's designed to attract and retain talented employees by ensuring that their pay aligns with prevailing market standards. A competitive salary typically takes into account factors such as an individual's skills, experience, and the local cost of living to ensure that it is fair and competitive within the job market. All of these factors can’t be portrayed in our salary guide, so please contact your local Michael Page office to speak to a consultant about your unique hiring needs, or you can request a call back and we will contact you..

If you are a hiring manager or employer, and want to ask a job candidate about their salary expectations, it’s important to approach the topic in a professional and respectful manner. 

Here are some of our top tips for asking a candidate about their salary expectations: 

- Provide some context for the question. Explain why you are asking about salary expectations, and how the information will be used. 

- Be clear and direct in your question. Avoid vague or open-ended questions, and instead ask a specific question about the candidate's desired salary range for the position. 

- Wait until the end of the initial job interview, and possibly even until after a second or third interview, before discussing salary expectations. 

- Ask candidates to write down their expected salary range in the initial application form. This means that candidates can provide their expected salary range upfront, and you can shortlist those who fall within your budget. 

Before you begin the negotiation process, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the market value for the position you're hiring for. Knowing what similar positions are paying in your industry will help ensure that you're offering a competitive salary. Once you have an idea of the going rate, you can start to negotiate with your potential employee. 

You may be able to negotiate other aspects of the job, such as vacation days or flexible work-from-home arrangements, to make up for a lower salary. 

The most important thing is to be respectful and professional throughout the negotiation process. Remember that your ultimate goal is to build a great, long-term working relationship with the candidate, so aim to avoid any confrontational language or behaviour. 

Our salary guides cover data collected over Q4 2023. It provides up-to-date insights into the talent market for the year 2024.