25 Salary Negotiation Statistics You Need to Know (2026)

Overview

Salary negotiation can be uncomfortable, but the data shows it's one of the most valuable skills you can develop. This comprehensive report analyzes 25 verified statistics from leading research organizations to reveal who's negotiating, what they're gaining, and which strategies actually work in 2026.

Key Statistics

Detailed Findings

Negotiation Success Rates

• 66% — U.S. employees who tried to negotiate initial salaries and successfully got what they asked for (Source: Procurement Tactics, 2025)
• 78% — New hires who got a better offer after negotiation (Source: Procurement Tactics, 2025)
• 85% — Americans who negotiated and received at least some of what they requested (Source: Investopedia via Procurement Tactics, 2025)
• 67% — Procurement professionals who successfully negotiated their salary (Source: Procurement Tactics, 2025)
• 73% — Employers who anticipate salary negotiation from job applicants (Source: CareerBuilder via Procurement Tactics, 2022)

How Much People Gain By Negotiating

• 18.83% — Average pay raise for negotiators, with some securing up to 100% increases (Source: The Interview Guys via Procurement Tactics, 2025)
• 19.7% for men, 15% for women — Average raise when negotiating, revealing a persistent gender gap even when both negotiate (Source: Procurement Tactics, 2025)
• Only 10% — Respondents who gained less than 10% or no increase when negotiating (Source: Procurement Tactics, 2025)

Who Negotiates and Who Doesn't

• 55% — Workers who don't ask for higher pay, despite 73% of employers being willing to negotiate (Source: CareerBuilder, 2022)
• 46% — Candidates who accept the first offer with no negotiation (Source: Harvard Business Review via Procurement Tactics, 2024)
• 45% — U.S. workers who negotiate their salary (Source: Procurement Tactics, 2025)
• 31% — New hires who negotiated their last offer, down from 49% the previous year (Source: Wall Street Journal via Procurement Tactics, 2025)
• Only 8.7% — Candidates who felt the initial salary offer was fair enough not to negotiate (Source: Procurement Tactics, 2025)

Gender Differences in Negotiation

• 60% of women vs. 68% of men — Negotiation rates, debunking the myth that women rarely negotiate (Source: Procurement Tactics, 2025)
• 64% of men estimated, 47% of women estimated — What people believe about negotiation rates (perception is more skewed than reality) (Source: Vanderbilt Business School, 2023)
• 19.7% for men, 15% for women — Average raise gained, showing women negotiate nearly as often but gain less on average (Source: Procurement Tactics, 2025)

Why People Don't Negotiate

• Poor labor market conditions — Biggest reason people skip negotiating, especially in African countries but also affects Americas, Europe, and Middle East (Source: Procurement Tactics, 2025)
• 31.11% — Cite company policies as the reason they didn't negotiate (many organizations set strict salary ranges) (Source: Procurement Tactics, 2025)
• 15% — Avoid negotiations due to self-doubt and lack of confidence (affects younger employees most) (Source: Procurement Tactics, 2025)
• Only 5% — Didn't negotiate because it was their first job and lacked awareness (Source: Procurement Tactics, 2025)

The "They'll Pull the Offer" Myth

• 94% — Negotiated job offers that remain intact (offers are rarely pulled due to negotiation) (Source: Harvard Business Review via Procurement Tactics, 2024)
• 87% — Employers who have never rescinded an offer because a candidate negotiated (Source: Yale JEDSI via Procurement Tactics, 2025)

Pay Transparency Trends

• 57.8% — U.S. job postings that now list pay information, up sharply year-over-year (Source: Indeed via Procurement Tactics, 2025)
• Only 23% — U.S. HR teams that still share full pay ranges (transparency momentum has stalled stateside) (Source: Procurement Tactics, 2025)
• 59% — European HR teams that remain transparent with salary ranges (more than double U.S. rate) (Source: Procurement Tactics, 2025)
• 41% — Candidates who abandon job ads that hide pay information (Source: SHRM via Procurement Tactics, 2025)

What This Means for You

Always Negotiate — The Odds Are in Your Favor

With 66% of negotiators getting what they ask for, 85% getting at least some of their request, and 94% of offers remaining intact after negotiation, the fear of losing an offer is largely unfounded. Only 87% of employers have never pulled an offer due to negotiation, and 73% actually expect candidates to negotiate. By not negotiating, you're leaving an average of 18.83% more salary on the table.

Women: You're Negotiating More Than You Think

The data debunks the persistent myth that women don't negotiate. Women (60%) negotiate almost as often as men (68%) — just an 8-point gap. However, women still gain less on average (15% vs. 19.7%), suggesting the issue isn't whether women ask, but how negotiations are received and resolved. Understanding this can help women negotiate more strategically and employers address bias in negotiation outcomes.

Don't Fear the Negotiation

Despite 73% of employers expecting negotiation, 55% of workers still don't ask. Common fears (offer being pulled, appearing greedy, company policies) are largely misplaced. Only 31% cite actual company policy restrictions, while 15% avoid negotiation due to self-doubt. Preparation and confidence-building can help overcome these barriers.

Pay Transparency Is Your Friend

With 57.8% of U.S. job postings now listing pay (and growing), and 41% of candidates abandoning ads without salary information, transparency is becoming the norm. Use publicly listed ranges as negotiation anchors, and avoid applying to positions that hide compensation — it may signal a less transparent culture overall.

Timing Matters

New hire negotiation saw a drop from 49% to 31% year-over-year, suggesting fatigue from lengthy hiring processes and fear in uncertain economic times. However, those who do negotiate still see strong success rates. Don't let broader trends discourage you from advocating for fair compensation.

Methodology

This report synthesizes data from multiple authoritative sources including labor economics research, HR professional surveys, job board analytics, and academic studies published between 2022-2026. All statistics are verified, cited with source and publication year, and drawn from reputable organizations including:

• Procurement Tactics 2025 comprehensive salary negotiation study (60 statistics compiled)
• Harvard Business Review negotiation research (2024)
• Pew Research Center labor and pay studies (2023-2025)
• CareerBuilder annual employer surveys
• SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)
• The Interview Guys comprehensive study review (2024-2025)
• Wall Street Journal labor market reporting
• Vanderbilt Business School gender pay research

Sources

1. Procurement Tactics - Salary Negotiation Statistics 2025 — 60 Key Figures (October 2025)
2. CareerBuilder - 73% of Employers Would Negotiate Salary, 55% of Workers Don't Ask (October 2022)
3. The Interview Guys - We Reviewed Every Salary Negotiation Study from 2024-2025 (August 2025)
4. Pew Research Center - When Negotiating Starting Salaries, Most U.S. Women, Men Don't Ask (April 2023)
5. Vanderbilt Business School - Stop Blaming Women for the Gender Pay Gap (September 2023)
6. Harvard Business Review - Research: Negotiating Is Unlikely to Jeopardize Your Job Offer (May 2024)