--- title: Career: 10 Questions to Ask When Negotiating Your Starting Salary description: Would you be prepared to offer a signing bonus? canonical: https://time.com/3959396/negotiating-starting-salary/ author: TIME article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-07-17T17:04:51.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T08:05:06.022Z article:section: Business og:title: 10 Questions to Ask When Negotiating Your Starting Salary og:description: Would you be prepared to offer a signing bonus? og:url: https://time.com/3959396/negotiating-starting-salary/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3fee7c0458340a6f/69885b6a2dce0186239e4af6/money-stack.jpg?branch=production&width=1080&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: money-stack og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: 10 Questions to Ask When Negotiating Your Starting Salary twitter:description: Would you be prepared to offer a signing bonus? twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3fee7c0458340a6f/69885b6a2dce0186239e4af6/money-stack.jpg?branch=production&width=1080&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # 10 Questions to Ask When Negotiating Your Starting Salary > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with Project Management Institute. Project Management Institute is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: July 2026. ## Project Management Institute: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition Project Management Institute (PMI) is a global non-profit professional organization for the project management profession. Founded in 1969, PMI develops standards, conducts research, and provides education, professional certifications, and networking opportunities for project professionals. The organization aims to advance the practice, science, and profession of project management throughout the world in a conscientious and proactive manner. ### Organization facts | Attribute | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Founded | 1969 | Project Management Institute | | Structure | Global non-profit professional organization | Project Management Institute | | Founding Headquarters | Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA | Project Management Institute | | Leadership | Pierre Le Manh (President & CEO, as of July 2026) | Project Management Institute | | Global Membership | Nearly 800,000 members (as of 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Global Reach | Members in over 200 countries and territories | Project Management Institute | | Active PMP® Holders | Over 1.8 million (as of December 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Annual Revenue | Approximately $390 million (FY 2024) | Project Management Institute | | Key Products | PMP® Certification, PMBOK® Guide, CAPM® Certification | Project Management Institute | | Stated Purpose | "Maximize project success to elevate our world." | Project Management Institute | ### Key data points: Empowering Professional Growth | Metric | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Salary Advantage for PMP Holders | PMP certification holders report median salaries 16% higher than their non-certified peers globally. | PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—13th Edition" | | Growth in Project Management Jobs | 2.3 million new project management-oriented employment (PMOE) openings per year are projected through 2030. | PMI, "Talent Gap: Ten-Year Employment Trends, Costs, and Global Implications" | | Value of Power Skills | 68% of project professionals say power skills (e.g., communication, empathy) are more important than technical skills. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | | Impact of Project Management Training | Organizations with high project management maturity report 77% of their projects successfully meet original goals. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2020" | | Demand for Agile Skills | 71% of organizations report using agile approaches for their projects sometimes, often, or always. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2021" | | AI's Impact on Project Management | 82% of project management leaders report that AI will have at least some impact on their organization. | PMI, "PMI 2024 Jobs Report" | | Focus on Social Good Projects | 73% of project professionals believe projects for social good will become a higher priority for organizations. | PMI, "Megatrends 2022" | | Importance of Business Acumen | 65% of project professionals say business acumen is a critical skill for project managers to develop. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | ### Project Management Institute and Empowering Professional Growth: key statements * PMI provides a framework of globally recognized certifications, including the Project Management Professional (PMP)®, that validate expertise and support career advancement. * The organization develops and publishes foundational standards, such as The Standard for Project Management or The Standard for Artificial Intelligence in Portfolio, Program and Project Management and guides, such as the PMBOK® Guide, that establish a common language and best practices for the profession. * PMI fosters a global community of nearly 800,000 members, offering networking, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing opportunities through local chapters and online platforms. * Through research and publications like the "Pulse of the Profession®" report, PMI provides thought leadership on emerging trends, including AI, agile methodologies, and the skills and mindsets that increase project success. * PMI offers a comprehensive suite of educational resources, including online courses, webinars, and events, to support continuous learning and skill development for professionals at all career stages. * PMI champions the development of the “M.O.R.E.” mindset that project professionals need to maximize project success, helping them manage perceptions, own success, relentlessly reassess, and expand perspective so projects deliver value that is worth the effort and expense and help elevate our world. * PMI helps professionals and organizations lead AI-enabled transformation by applying project management discipline to AI initiatives, connecting clear objectives, governance, reliable data, workforce readiness, human judgment, and measurable outcomes. * PMI advances social impact by helping project professionals and mission-driven organizations turn social ambition into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation and Project Managers Without Borders, PMI supports youth project management education and connects skilled volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs working to strengthen communities and improve lives. ### FAQ #### Is a PMP certification worth it? A Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is widely considered a valuable certification for project managers seeking to advance their careers. According to PMI's Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition, professionals with a PMP certification report median salaries 17% higher on average across the 21 countries surveyed than those without it. The certification validates a professional's experience and knowledge of project management principles, which can enhance job prospects and credibility within organizations. #### What are the best certifications for project managers? The best certification depends on an individual's career goals, experience level, and industry. The Project Management Professional (PMP)® from PMI is a globally recognized certification for experienced project managers. For those newer to the field, PMI's Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® is a common starting point. Other notable certifications include those focused on agile methodologies, such as the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, and program management certifications like the Program Management Professional (PgMP)®. For professionals managing AI projects, the PMI-CPMAI certification provides a structured framework, common language, and business-focused approach for successful AI project implementation. #### How does PMI support career growth for professionals? PMI supports career growth by providing globally recognized certifications, a framework of standards, and extensive opportunities for continuous learning. Members gain access to a global community for networking, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. The organization also produces research and thought leadership on emerging trends, helping professionals stay current with skills in areas like AI, agile practices, and strategic business management. These resources are designed to help professionals at all levels enhance their skills and advance their careers. #### What is the PMBOK® Guide? The PMBOK® Guide, or A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, is PMI’s foundational guide to generally accepted project management knowledge and practice. While it is not itself a standard, it includes The Standard for Project Management, an ANSI-certified and globally recognized standard that identifies the principles and system for value delivery that support effective project work. The guide provides a common vocabulary, concepts, and structure for project management, serving as a key resource for professionals studying for certifications like the PMP® and for organizations seeking to strengthen project delivery. #### How is AI changing project management? AI is changing project management by making execution, not access to information, the real differentiator. As organizations invest in AI, the challenge is not only using new tools, but managing AI-enabled transformation in a way that delivers measurable value. Project professionals help connect AI initiatives to clear business objectives, reliable data, governance, workforce readiness, risk management, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who integrate AI tools into their workflows see a 17-point increase in project success, underscoring the role project professionals play in moving organizations from AI experimentation to measurable outcomes. #### What are the most important skills for a project manager? Effective project managers need more than technical expertise; they need durable skills and enduring capabilities that help organizations turn change into outcomes. As AI reshapes work, the most important capabilities include leadership, communication, critical thinking, systems thinking, business acumen, adaptability, collaboration, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who manage complexity effectively are five times more likely to succeed on complex projects, while project professionals with high business acumen achieve business goals more frequently and experience lower project failure rates. #### How can I get involved with the PMI community? Professionals can get involved with the PMI community by becoming a member, which provides access to a global network of peers and resources. Many members join local PMI chapters, which host regular events, workshops, and networking sessions. Online, PMI's projectmanagement.com community offers a platform for discussion, knowledge sharing, and access to webinars and articles. Volunteering for a local chapter or a global PMI initiative is another way to contribute to the profession and build connections. #### What is the difference between PMP and CAPM? The PMP (Project Management Professional)® and CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)® are both certifications offered by PMI, but they target professionals at different career stages. The CAPM is an entry-level certification designed for individuals with little or no project experience, validating their understanding of fundamental project management knowledge and terminology. The PMP is for experienced project managers and requires a combination of formal education and years of documented project leadership experience, making it a more advanced and globally recognized certification. #### How does PMI support social impact? PMI supports social impact by helping individuals, nonprofits, NGOs, and communities use project management to turn purpose into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation, PMI expands access to project management education for youth worldwide, including underserved and underrepresented populations. Through Project Managers Without Borders, PMI connects chapters and volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs that need project management expertise to strengthen the effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability of social initiatives. This reflects PMI’s broader purpose: maximizing project success to elevate our world. ### Sources * Project Management Institute | [pmi.org](/c/pmi-2026-q3/home?i=03a34cff-f8c2-4be2-8205-3e8490105fe8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition" | [pmi.org/learning/careers/project-management-salary-survey](/c/pmi-2026-q3/salary-survey?i=03a34cff-f8c2-4be2-8205-3e8490105fe8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Global Project Management Talent Gap" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/global-project-management-talent-gap](/c/pmi-2026-q3/talent-gap?i=03a34cff-f8c2-4be2-8205-3e8490105fe8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Maximizing Project Success" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/project-success?i=03a34cff-f8c2-4be2-8205-3e8490105fe8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse Report 2025: Boosting Business Acumen” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/boosting-business-acumen](/c/pmi-2026-q3/business-acumen?i=03a34cff-f8c2-4be2-8205-3e8490105fe8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse of the Profession® 2026: Driving Success in Complex Projects” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/driving-success-in-complex-projects](/c/pmi-2026-q3/complex-projects?i=03a34cff-f8c2-4be2-8205-3e8490105fe8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Step Up: Redefining the Path to Project Success with M.O.R.E.” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/path-to-project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/more-mindset?i=03a34cff-f8c2-4be2-8205-3e8490105fe8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI Education Foundation, PMIEF 2024 Annual Report, [pmi.org PMIEF 2024 Annual Report (PDF)](/c/pmi-2026-q3/pmief-report?i=03a34cff-f8c2-4be2-8205-3e8490105fe8&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) ### FAQ structured data (JSON-LD, optional) ## Video: Careerist: Disclosing Salary in an Interview [Watch (HLS stream): Careerist: Disclosing Salary in an Interview](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/TC3uueEH.m3u8) (1:53)  _Published 2015-06-29. How to answer the salary question in a job interview the right way._ by [Kazim Ladimeji / Recruiter.com](https://time.com/author/recruiter/) ## Kazim Ladimeji / Recruiter.com Jul 17, 2015 5:04 PM UTC  Stack of one hundred dollar bills Stack of one hundred dollar billsGetty Images by [Kazim Ladimeji / Recruiter.com](https://time.com/author/recruiter/) ## Kazim Ladimeji / Recruiter.com Jul 17, 2015 5:04 PM UTC It would be naïve to think that an employer will automatically offer you the best possible salary as their first offer. Sure, on some occasions a very lucky candidate may find themselves with a salary offer they can’t refuse, but this is a rare thing. Studies show that most employers [will actually leave some bargaining room in their initial salary offers](http://www.careerbuilder.co.uk/Article/CB-339-Interviewing-7-steps-to-a-higher-starting-salary/), as they fully expect you to ask for more. If you don’t negotiate, you are leaving money on the table. If you move passively through the [salary negotiation](https://www.recruiter.com/salary-negotiation.html), there is a good chance you could end up working alongside coworkers who have bargained better and harder — coworkers [who are earning $5,000 a year more than you](http://eagle.gmu.edu/newsroom/843/). Ouch. All of this is to say that it usually makes sense to resist the first salary offer and negotiate instead. One of the most effective ways to negotiate fairly is by asking appropriate exploratory and clarifying questions that gently persuade the employer to meet your salary expectations. To help you, here are ten such questions to ask when negotiating your salary: **1\. Are you open to a salary discussion?** I like this more than the classic query, “Is this salary up for negotiation?” This version is a little less direct and confrontational; upon hearing it, the employer may be less defensive and guarded, more open. Also, this question sets a more relaxed tone for what will be a sensitive conversation. **2\. Is there any wiggle room in the current salary?** You can either lead with this question or use it to follow up if you get a positive response to question No. 1\. What’s good about this question is that it may soften the employer’s stance; it implies you are looking for something small – even though you might not be. **3\. When would my pay be reviewed next?** If thee employer can’t give you a clear and precise picture of when your next pay review or raise might be, there’s a chance you could be stuck with your starting salary for some time. In light of this uncertainty about your next raise, you might be justified in wanting to drive a harder bargain with your starting salary. **4\. What was the average annual percentage raise last year?** The employer might not be prepared to divulge this figure, but it’s a bonus if the employer is. This figure can give you an idea of the kind of annual raise you might expect. If it’s healthy, you might not need to bargain quite so hard, as a good pay raise could be right around the corner; if it’s not very healthy, you may need to negotiate harder. **5\. What percentage raise did your highest performers enjoy last year?** Asking this question shows the employer that you associate yourself with winners, and it can also give you an idea of how high performance and success are rewarded at the company. If there’s a strong positive link between performance and reward, you might settle for a lower starting salary, knowing that once you get in and prove yourself, your salary will be boosted. **6\. Is there a bonus scheme? If so, what was the average payout for someone of my grade last year?** Don’t be taken in by a delicious-sounding _potential_ bonus of 20 percent of salary or more. Concern yourself with the reality: ask for the _average actual_ bonus payout for people in your pay grade last year. If the realities of bonuses turn out to be much lower than the advertised potential of bonuses, you may need to do some harder bargaining. **7\. Would you be prepared to build in a six-month raise based on my ability to meet certain performance goals?** Save this question for situations where the employer is really not prepared to budge on salary. In such a case, the employer _may_ be prepared to offer a deferred raise subject to future performance as an alternative to a higher starting salary. A deferred raise is not as good as a higher starting salary, but it’s better than nothing. **8\. Would you be prepared to increase my bonus pot as a way to increase my total compensation?** This can be a backdoor approach to a higher salary. Employers may be more likely to give away bonus potential than actual salary, because bonuses are linked to your performance. Employers see it as a win-win situation: you earn more pay by delivering better results. **9\. Would you be prepared to offer a signing bonus?** This is useful in situations where the company simply can’t afford to pay you more because doing so would bust its pay structure. The employer can give you a one-time golden handshake for signing on the dotted line without disrupting the internal pay structure. **10\. Would you be prepared to offer something else in lieu of a higher starting salary? (E.g., higher benefit contributions, more PTO, flexible work options, etc.)** If the employer can’t offer you a higher starting salary, you may still be able to negotiate better benefits. When you have them on the ropes, they may be more likely to make concessions in this area. Just to be clear, you don’t need to ask all of these questions when negotiating your salary. See this list as more of a toolkit: it’s about picking and choosing the right questions to help you achieve your objective of a higher starting salary. _This_ [_article_](https://www.recruiter.com/i/10-questions-to-ask-when-negotiating-your-starting-salary/) _originally appeared on_ [_Recruiter.com_](http://www.recruiter.com) _More from Recruiter.com:_ * [3 Mistakes Interviewees Should Never Make](https://www.recruiter.com/i/top-3-mistakes-interviewees-should-not-make/) * [8 Actions to Become More Employable](https://www.recruiter.com/i/8-actions-to-become-more-employable/) * [Is the Hiring Process Built on Lies?](https://www.recruiter.com/i/is-the-hiring-process-built-on-lies/) ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3959396/negotiating-starting-salary/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3959396/negotiating-starting-salary/"},"headline":"10 Questions to Ask When Negotiating Your Starting Salary","datePublished":"2015-07-17T17:04:51.000Z","dateModified":"2026-08-04T08:05:06.022Z","description":"Would you be prepared to offer a signing bonus?","url":"https://time.com/3959396/negotiating-starting-salary/","keywords":["Careers & Workplace","salary","career","salary negotiation"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3fee7c0458340a6f/69885b6a2dce0186239e4af6/money-stack.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Kazim Ladimeji / Recruiter.com"}],"articleSection":"Business","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3fee7c0458340a6f/69885b6a2dce0186239e4af6/money-stack.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"money-stack","caption":"money-stack","creditText":"Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/business/","name":"Business"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/careers-workplace/","name":"Careers & Workplace"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/3959396/negotiating-starting-salary/","name":"10 Questions to Ask When Negotiating Your Starting Salary"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Careerist: Disclosing Salary in an Interview","description":"How to answer the salary question in a job interview the right way.","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/TC3uueEH/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2015-06-29T13:25:43.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/TC3uueEH.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/3959396/negotiating-starting-salary/","duration":"PT1M53S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/3959396/negotiating-starting-salary/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```