Many Pakistani job seekers accept the first salary offered because they worry that negotiating will cost them the job. In reality, most private employers expect some discussion, and a polite, well-prepared conversation can improve your starting salary and benefits. Since future increments are usually a percentage of your current pay, a better starting salary helps you for years.
Do your research first
- Ask friends or seniors in the same field what similar roles pay in your city.
- Check salary ranges in job advertisements for similar posts.
- Look at company size: multinationals and large banks usually pay more than small firms.
- Consider your city: Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad usually pay more than smaller cities.
Write down a realistic range: the minimum you can accept, a fair target and an ambitious figure.
When the employer asks for your expected salary
Try to give a range rather than one number, with your target near the bottom of the range. For example: “Based on my two years of experience and the responsibilities of this role, I am looking for something in the range of PKR 110,000 to 130,000.” This shows you are flexible but informed.
Look at the full package
Salary is not the only thing that matters. Compare:
- Fuel or transport allowance, or company pick and drop
- Medical insurance for you and your family
- Provident fund and gratuity
- Annual bonus and increments
- Mobile allowance and laptop
- Working hours, Saturday working, remote days
- Training and growth opportunities
If the employer cannot increase the salary, you may be able to negotiate one of these instead.
How to negotiate politely
- Thank them for the offer and show enthusiasm for the role.
- Give a reason based on your skills, experience or market rates – not personal expenses.
- Ask, then wait for their response.
- Stay calm and flexible. Be ready to agree on a middle point.
Example: “Thank you very much for the offer. I am excited about joining the team. Given my experience in managing payroll for 120 employees and my QuickBooks skills, I was hoping for a starting salary closer to PKR 120,000. Is there any flexibility?”
When not to negotiate
Government jobs have fixed pay according to the BPS scale, so there is usually no room for negotiation, though your allowances depend on the department and city. Entry-level programmes with fixed stipends, such as many trainee programmes, are also not negotiable.
Get the final offer in writing
Before resigning from your current job, ask for an offer letter that clearly states salary, allowances, joining date, probation period and notice period.
Preparing for the interview first? See our list of common interview questions.