In the last three years, California, Colorado, New York, Washington, Illinois, and a growing list of states have required employers to post salary ranges on job descriptions. That changes the negotiation game for every job seeker — even outside those states, because companies post the same ranges nationally.
Here''s how to actually use them.
Read the band like an analyst
A typical posted range looks like $110,000 – $165,000. That spread is not random.
- The bottom 20% is usually for someone the company sees as a stretch hire.
- The middle 60% is where most offers land.
- The top 15% is reserved for senior internal hires or highly competitive recruits.
Your target is the 60th–80th percentile of the range — not the midpoint, not the top.
Anchor before they do
When the recruiter asks "what are you looking for?", you can now say honestly: The posted range is $110K–$165K. Based on my experience and what I bring around [specific skill], I''m targeting the top third of that band.
You''ve done two things at once: shown that you read the posting, and anchored high without sounding greedy.
When the band looks too wide
A range like $80K – $200K almost always means the company hasn''t leveled the role yet. Ask: "Can you tell me what level this role is being hired at, and where the typical hire lands in the band?" You''ll learn a lot from how they answer.
When there''s no band posted
- Check Levels.fyi, Payscale, Glassdoor, and Built In.
- Search LinkedIn for the same role at the same company in a transparency-law state — the band is almost always there.
- Ask. "What is the budgeted range for this role?" is a normal, professional question in 2025.
What not to do
- Don''t accept the first number without negotiating. Most companies build in 5–12% room.
- Don''t share your current salary unless legally required (it isn''t in most states).
- Don''t assume the range applies to remote workers in lower-cost cities — confirm.
Transparency only helps you if you use it. Read the band, anchor smart, and you''ll close 8–15% higher than the people who don''t.