Salary Negotiation Coach

A strategic negotiation agent that prepares you for salary discussions with market data research, script writing, counter-offer strategies, and interactive practice scenarios. Works across multi-platform contexts including new job offers, annual raises, promotion negotiations, and freelance rate discussions with integration across Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, LinkedIn Salary, and Payscale data references.

Supported Platforms & Integrations

Platform	Integration Type	Features
Glassdoor	Data Reference	Company-specific salary ranges by role and location
Levels.fyi	Data Reference	Tech company compensation breakdowns (base, equity, bonus)
LinkedIn Salary	Reference	Role-based salary insights filtered by region and experience
Payscale	Reference	Market rate data by role, industry, skills, and metro area
Google Docs	Export	Polished negotiation scripts and talking points documents
Notion	Export	Negotiation playbook with decision trees and practice logs

When to Use This Agent

• Use this when you have received a job offer and want to negotiate higher compensation

• Use this when your annual review is approaching and you want to prepare a raise request

• Use this when you have been promoted and need to ensure the compensation matches the new level

• Use this when you have a competing offer and want to leverage it tactfully

• Use this when transitioning to freelance or consulting and need to set your rates

• Use this when you suspect you are underpaid and want market data to confirm before taking action

• Consider alternatives when you need a professional employment attorney for contract disputes

• Consider alternatives when negotiating executive compensation packages with complex equity structures

• Consider alternatives when you need real-time negotiation coaching during a live conversation

Quick Start

Copy
# .claude/agents/salary-negotiation-coach.yml
name: Salary Negotiation Coach
model: opus
trigger: "negotiate salary"
context:
  negotiation_type: new-offer
  current_salary: 0
  industry: technology
  experience_years: 5
  location: "Austin, TX"

First Run Example:

User: I received an offer for $120K base as a Senior 
Software Engineer in Austin. I think it's low. Help 
me negotiate.

Expected Output:

## Negotiation Preparation — Senior SWE, Austin

### Market Data Analysis
| Source | 25th %ile | Median | 75th %ile | 90th %ile |
|--------|-----------|--------|-----------|------------|
| Glassdoor | $125K | $140K | $158K | $175K |
| Levels.fyi | $130K | $145K | $165K | $185K |
| Payscale | $118K | $135K | $155K | $170K |

**Assessment:** Your $120K offer is below the 25th 
percentile across all major data sources. You have 
strong grounds for negotiation.

### Recommended Counter-Offer
**Target:** $145K (median market rate)
**Anchor:** $155K (aim high, settle at target)
**Walk-away:** $130K (minimum acceptable)

### Negotiation Script
"Thank you for the offer — I'm excited about the role 
and the team. Based on my research into market rates 
for Senior Software Engineers in Austin, and considering 
my [specific experience/skills], I was expecting 
compensation in the $150-155K range. Is there 
flexibility to revisit the base salary?"

### If They Say No to Base Salary
**Pivot to total compensation:**
- Signing bonus: Request $10-15K
- Equity/RSUs: Request additional grant
- Annual bonus target: Negotiate percentage
- Remote work: 2-3 days (saves commute costs)
- PTO: Request additional week
- Professional development budget: $2-5K annually
- Review timeline: 6-month review instead of 12

Advanced Configuration

Platform-Specific Setup:

Copy
# Market data preferences
market_data:
  preferred_sources: [levels-fyi, glassdoor, payscale]
  metro_area: "Austin-Round Rock, TX"
  company_size: large
  industry_filter: technology

# Negotiation style
negotiation:
  style: collaborative
  risk_tolerance: moderate
  script_formality: professional
  practice_rounds: 3

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
negotiation_type	string	new-offer	new-offer, annual-raise, promotion, counter-offer, freelance-rate
current_salary	int	0	Current base salary for raise/promotion context
offered_salary	int	0	Initial offer amount for counter-offer preparation
industry	string	technology	technology, finance, healthcare, marketing, legal, education
experience_years	int	5	Total years of relevant professional experience
location	string	""	City and state for cost-of-living and market rate adjustment
company_size	string	large	startup, small, medium, large, enterprise
negotiation_style	string	collaborative	collaborative, assertive, conservative
include_equity	bool	true	Include equity and stock option negotiation strategies
practice_mode	bool	true	Enable interactive mock negotiation practice rounds
script_count	int	3	Number of script variations to generate

Core Concepts

Concept	Description
Market Anchoring	Uses data-backed salary ranges to establish credible negotiation anchors
BATNA Development	Identifies your Best Alternative to help determine walk-away thresholds
Total Comp Framing	Expands negotiation beyond base salary to equity, bonus, and benefits
Objection Handling	Prepares responses for common employer pushback during negotiations
Practice Simulation	Runs interactive mock negotiations to build confidence and refine delivery

+------------------+     +------------------+     +------------------+
|  Situation Input |---->|  Market Research |---->|  Strategy Builder|
|  (offer, role,   |     |  (data sources,  |     |  (target, anchor,|
|   experience)    |     |   comp ranges)   |     |   walk-away)     |
+------------------+     +------------------+     +------------------+
                                                          |
                                                          v
+------------------+     +------------------+     +------------------+
|  Practice Mode   |<----|  Objection Prep  |<----|  Script Writer   |
|  (mock rounds,   |     |  (common pushback|     |  (email, phone,  |
|   feedback)      |     |   + responses)   |     |   in-person)     |
+------------------+     +------------------+     +------------------+

Workflow Examples

Scenario 1: Annual Raise Request

Input: "I've been at my company 2 years, currently making 
$95K as a Product Manager. Great performance reviews. 
No raise last year due to 'budget constraints.' How do 
I approach this?"

Output:
## Annual Raise Strategy — Product Manager, $95K

**Market Position:** $95K is approximately 20th percentile 
for PMs with your experience in your market.

**Recommended Ask:** 15-20% increase ($109-114K)
**Justification Framework:**
1. Market data shows median PM comp at $115K
2. Two years without adjustment = purchasing power loss
3. Strong performance reviews with specific achievements
4. Cost of replacing you: 6-9 months salary in 
   recruiting and onboarding costs

**Timing:** Request meeting 2 weeks before review cycle.
Frame as "career development discussion" not "raise request."

**Script:** "I'd like to discuss my compensation in the 
context of my contributions over the past two years. 
I've [specific achievement], [specific achievement], and 
[specific achievement]. Based on market data for Product 
Managers with my experience, I believe an adjustment to 
the $110-115K range would reflect my current value."

**If Budget Constraints Again:**
"I understand budget is tight. Can we agree on a 
specific timeline and performance criteria that would 
trigger an adjustment? I'd like to put that in writing."

Scenario 2: Competing Offer Leverage

Input: "I like my current job ($130K) but received an 
offer for $160K from a competitor. I want to use it 
to get a raise but don't want to seem like I'm 
threatening to leave."

Output:
## Competing Offer Leverage — Tactful Approach

**Key Principle:** Frame as transparency, not ultimatum.

**Script:**
"I want to be transparent with you because I value our 
working relationship. I was approached by [competitor] 
and after conversations, they've offered me a role at 
$160K. I'm not looking to leave — I'm invested in what 
we're building here. But I want to make sure my 
compensation reflects my market value. Can we discuss 
bringing my salary closer to that range?"

**What to Expect:**
- Best case: Counter-offer at $150-160K within days
- Middle case: $140-145K + accelerated review timeline
- Worst case: No match — then you decide if the offer 
  is worth taking

**Critical Warning:** Only use a competing offer you 
are genuinely willing to accept. Bluffing destroys 
trust and can accelerate your departure timeline.

Scenario 3: Freelance Rate Setting

Input: "Transitioning from full-time UX designer ($110K) 
to freelance. How do I set my hourly rate?"

Output:
## Freelance Rate Calculation — UX Designer

**Base Calculation:**
$110K salary / 2,080 hours = $52.88/hour (employee)

**Freelance Multiplier (1.5-2x):**
You now pay: self-employment tax (15.3%), health 
insurance ($500/mo), no PTO, no 401k match, 
business expenses, unpaid admin time

**Recommended Range:**
Minimum viable: $85/hour
Target rate: $100-120/hour
Premium (specialized work): $135-150/hour

**Day Rate:** $800-960/day
**Project Pricing:** 1.25x hourly estimate (scope risk)

**Script for Rate Discussion:**
"My rate for UX design projects is $110 per hour, with 
project-based pricing available for engagements over 
40 hours. For a project of this scope, I'd estimate 
[X hours] for a total of [amount]."

Best Practices

• Never disclose your current salary first in a negotiation. When asked, redirect with "I'd prefer to focus on the value I'll bring to this role and the market rate for the position." Anchoring to a low current salary caps your upside.

• Always negotiate with specific numbers, not ranges. Saying "I'm looking for around $145K" is stronger than "somewhere between $130K and $160K." Ranges invite the employer to anchor to your lowest number.

• Practice your script out loud at least three times before the real conversation. Reading a script silently and delivering it verbally under pressure are completely different skills. Practice with a friend or use the mock negotiation mode.

• Get the final offer in writing before accepting verbally. Enthusiasm is fine, but say "I'm very excited about this. Can you send me the complete offer details in writing so I can review the full package?" This prevents misunderstandings.

• Negotiate beyond base salary when base is truly fixed. Signing bonuses, equity grants, remote work flexibility, additional PTO, professional development budgets, and accelerated review timelines all have real monetary value.

Common Issues

• Market data shows wide salary ranges and I do not know where I fall. Focus on the median for your experience level and location. If you have in-demand skills or certifications, position yourself at the 60th-75th percentile. Be prepared to justify with specific qualifications.

• The employer says the offer is non-negotiable. Almost every offer has some flexibility. If base salary is truly fixed due to pay bands, pivot to signing bonus, equity, or benefits. Ask "Is the base salary the only component with limited flexibility, or is the entire package fixed?"

• I feel uncomfortable negotiating and worry about the offer being rescinded. Employers expect negotiation and almost never rescind offers for professional, respectful counter-proposals. The collaborative negotiation style setting generates scripts that are assertive without being adversarial.

Privacy & Data Handling

• Local Processing: All negotiation preparation happens in your local Claude Code session. Your salary details, employer information, and career data are never transmitted to job boards, recruiters, or external services.
• Data Retention: Negotiation scripts and strategy documents exist only in your current session and exported files. No compensation data persists between sessions.
• Export Options: Export as Markdown documents, Google Docs drafts, or Notion playbooks. All files are saved to your local filesystem with no external sharing.
• No Employer Contact: The agent never contacts employers, recruiters, or salary survey companies on your behalf. All communication is prepared for you to deliver personally in your own conversations.