Should I always state salary expectations in a job application?

No. If the job posting does not require it, do not. The party that names a figure first typically sets the anchor - and that is an advantage for the employer. Save the salary negotiation for the interview, where you have a stronger negotiating position.

Should I write a specific figure or a range in the application?

A range is almost always better. A specific figure closes the negotiation before it begins. A wide range (typically 8,000-15,000 kr. spread) gives the employer a number to lean on during screening, but leaves room to negotiate upward in the interview.

What do I write if the job posting requires salary expectations but I do not know the market?

Spend 30 minutes on LønRadar before writing the application. Find the median and 75th percentile for your role, region and experience. Write a range from median to 75th percentile + 5%. That is your realistic negotiating range.

Should I mention pension in the salary expectation?

Yes, always. Write "incl. employer pension" - otherwise you risk the employer interpreting your figure as basic salary only and adding pension on top (good for you) or conversely treating it as the total package and deducting pension (bad for you). Be unambiguous.

Guide

Salary Expectations in Job Applications: Should You Include a Number?

Last updated: 25-06-2026

You have the job posting open. At the bottom it says: "Please include your salary expectations in your application."

What do you do? Write a number and risk anchoring too low - or get screened out for going too high? Skip it and look unprepared? Write "negotiable" and come across as evasive?

The short answer: if you can avoid naming a specific number in your application, do it. But when an employer explicitly asks for one, you need a strategy that does not cost you money later.

The Main Rule: Keep Salary Out of the Application if You Can

Negotiation experts agree: the party that names a number first typically loses. Anchor theory has been confirmed in hundreds of studies.

That means if you write "my salary expectation is 55,000 kr." in your application, you have just placed a ceiling on your own negotiation. Even if the employer had budgeted 65,000 kr., they will now offer 55,000-58,000 kr.

When the Job Posting Requires a Number: 3 Strategies

Strategy 1: State a Wide Range (Recommended)

"My salary expectation is in the range of 58,000-68,000 kr. per month including employer pension, depending on the full scope of responsibilities and final role definition."

This gives the employer a number to work with during screening, while leaving room for negotiation. Set the lower number at your realistic floor and the upper number at 5-10% above your target.

Strategy 2: Put the Responsibility Back on the Employer

"My salary expectation depends on the full scope of responsibilities and the total compensation package, but I am confident we can reach an agreement that falls within the market rate for [role] in [region]."

Works best in applications to larger companies with structured HR processes that already have a salary band framework.

Strategy 3: Reference Market Data

"My salary expectations align with the market rate for [role] at my experience level in [region]. According to LønRadar, the median and 75th percentile are [X] kr. and [Y] kr. per month including pension respectively, and that is the range I am targeting."

Demonstrates professionalism and negotiation maturity. A strong position when the conversation comes.

What You Should NOT Write

Phrase	Why it hurts you
"Salary is not the most important thing to me."	You just told the employer you will accept less.
"Negotiable" with no further context.	Sounds evasive.
"At least 60,000 kr."	You have revealed your floor. They will now offer 60,000 kr.
"My current salary is 50,000 kr. and I would like a bit more."	Anchors on your current pay, not the market.

Get Your Specific Range Before You Apply

You cannot write a good salary range without knowing what the real market looks like. With your own salary report from LønRadar, you get the median and 75th percentile for your exact role, region, and experience level.

Get your salary report

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