Including salary expectations on your resume or cover letter is generally a bad idea unless the employer specifically requests it in the job posting or directly communicates this need to you. Volunteering this information prematurely can quickly remove you from consideration.
Salary discussions are best reserved for the interview stage. By then, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the role’s responsibilities, and the employer will have a better appreciation of your skills. This puts you in a stronger negotiating position, particularly if the employer is eager to hire you.
If an employer requires salary information with your application, include it only in your cover letter, never directly on your resume. Listing it on the resume distracts from your qualifications and experience.
In your cover letter, include a concise statement about your salary expectations, usually in the second paragraph from the bottom. Frame it to show you are open to negotiation.
For example:
“Based on my experience and skills, my expected salary is in the $75,000-$90,000 range annually, depending on the benefits package. However, this is negotiable depending on the specifics of the position.”
This statement expresses confidence in your abilities, demonstrates flexibility, and provides room for negotiation if your expectations differ from the employer’s budget. Highlighting that your desired salary depends on benefits also signals that you are seeking a long-term position, which is appealing to employers because employee training is a significant expense.