5 Signs You're Being Lowballed

Red flags, and how to respond to get what you deserve

September 23, 2025

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And in this week’s newsletter, we’re talking all about ‘lowballing’: how to spot the signs early, and how to respond to get the pay you deserve. Let’s get into it!

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You finally got that job offer!…but the salary feels a bit low 😐

A lowball salary offer can sometimes come from a limited company budget, misunderstandings of your background and experience, and other miscellaneous reasons.

The good news: a lowball offer isn’t always the FINAL offer! And that’s why we’re here: to help you fight for salary transparency and get paid what you deserve.

🚩 Red Flags You’re Being Lowballed

Let’s say your last job paid you $80,000/year, but the job offer you just received for a more senior position is for only $65,000/year. This is one common example of receiving a lowball salary offer, but here are some other signs that you might be getting swindled:

  1. The offer is below your market rate. If you don’t know your market salary, use our free Market Research Guide to find a range according to your job title, skills, experience, and other factors. This will also be your secret weapon in salary negotiations!

  2. Senior-level duties, with entry-level pay. The offer is lower than your previous role, but you’re being asked to take on more responsibility. Promotions or lateral moves should come with the same pay (at a minimum), but we encourage you to ask for more. After all, looking for a higher-paying job is the whole point, right?

  3. Little to no salary transparency. If recruiters won’t share pay ranges or dodge questions about how the offer was set, tread carefully. Depending on your state’s pay transparency laws, they may even be legally required to disclose this information upfront. Skirting labor law is a MASSIVE red flag!

  4. Weak benefits. Healthcare, PTO, retirement contributions, parental leave, disability, and life insurance are all essential benefits. And don’t forget: negotiating your benefits is just as important as negotiating your salary!

  5. Pressure to accept quickly. If you’re given a limited time or expected to accept immediately, don’t limit your leverage. You have the right to review and compare your offers, and to continue negotiating. In fact, the 24-hour rule is one of our favorite negotiation tactics!

🫵 What to Do If You’ve Been Lowballed

The lowball happened…and it isn’t budging. So, now what?

  1. Research and prepare. Download our free Market Research Guide, compare your job title and pay against records in our Salary Database, and gather salary data from trusted sources. You’ll use this data to back up your counteroffer!

  2. Ask about total compensation. Salary is only ONE piece of the puzzle. Ask for a full breakdown of bonuses, equity, and benefits so you can weigh your options.

  3. Negotiate strategically. When crafting your response, start with the higher end of your market rate so you give yourself room to meet in the middle with a number you’d still be happy with.

🗣️ How to Respond to a Lowball Offer

Even though it’s tempting, don’t immediately respond by saying, “the salary is too low."

You don’t want to appear ungrateful and rude. Instead, thank them for the offer and express your excitement for the role. Tell them you need some time to think about it, but give them the expected time frame, whether that’s 24 hours or a few days. During this time, put together your script and gather any necessary market data that you might need to present.

Example(s): “Thank you so much for the offer! I really enjoyed meeting you and the team, and I’m excited about the chance to contribute here. Before I can accept, I’d like to revisit the salary since it’s lower than the competitive market rate for this role. Based on my experience and skills, I’d be ready to accept the role at [$X], along with [insert any benefits you want to negotiate].”

💡 Want more on how to spot lowball job offers? Read the full article here.

See you next week for more career tips, money moves, and transparent advice! 💚

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