What does “competitive salary” mean?
“It seems to be competing with the actual number.” — Arthur
“Competitive salary depending on experience.”
“We say the pay compares well with similar jobs, but we have not given you a figure.”
What the wording leaves out
It claims the pay compares well with similar jobs. Without a range, you cannot judge the claim or decide whether to apply.
What to check
Ask for the salary range and whether the advertised amount includes bonuses or other extras.
Try Arthur’s translator →More from job adverts
Does “competitive salary” mean good pay?
It is a claim that the pay compares favourably with similar jobs. It is not a number, a guaranteed pay rise or proof that the offer is above average. Without the range and details of the role, you cannot judge how competitive it is.
“Depending on experience” adds another uncertainty: where would your experience place you within the employer’s range? Ask before investing time in a long application process.
A simple message asking for the salary range
Hello,
I’m interested in the role. Before applying, could you share the budgeted basic salary range and the contracted weekly hours? Please could you also confirm whether any advertised earnings include commission or a bonus?
Many thanks,
[Your name]
You do not need to accuse anyone of being evasive. You are asking for information that helps both sides decide whether the role is a fit.
Five things to check alongside the number
- Basic salary: what is guaranteed, before any variable earnings?
- Hours: how many contracted hours does the salary cover, and what are the expectations around additional time?
- Bonus or commission: what is conditional, how is it calculated and when is it paid?
- Location and travel: what will the journey, parking or required travel involve?
- Responsibilities: does the advertised title match the work you would actually do?
Compare like with like. A larger annual figure attached to substantially longer hours may not be the better offer for you. Benefits can matter too, but list them separately from guaranteed pay.
What if the recruiter asks for your expectations first?
You can bring the discussion back to the role: “I’d like to understand the responsibilities and budgeted range first. Could you share those so we can see whether we’re in the same area?” If you choose to give a figure, make clear whether you mean basic salary or total potential earnings.
What if they will not give a range?
Ask whether they can at least confirm that the budget meets your minimum requirement. If they still cannot say, decide how much application time you want to commit without that information. The wording alone does not prove that the pay is low; it leaves an important question unanswered.
“A salary is considerably easier to assess once it contains a number.” — Arthur
Further reading: Reed’s explanation of competitive salary.