How to Write a Counter Offer Letter: 3 Samples + Email

Getting through the application process and making it to the job offer stage can be exhilarating. It takes a lot of time, effort, and energy to search for jobs, submit a resume, prepare for interviews, and finally receive an offer. But before you accept, you’ll want to review the job offer in its entirety to determine if it aligns with your expectations and whether you want to respond with a counter offer letter.

A job offer negotiation is a delicate situation, and you want to enter into these negotiations as prepared as possible. Crafting a compelling counter offer letter can help you boost your salary and/or perks so that you can step into a new role that supports your lifestyle and reflects your professional value.

What Is a Counter Offer Letter or Email?

A counter offer letter or email is a response to a written job offer that intends to negotiate a higher salary or better perks using a solid justification, such as special qualifications. You can negotiate any written job offer; however, you want to do so within reason. Requesting a salary that is substantially higher than the initial offer, is outside the original salary range listed on the job posting, or is much higher than the average salary for similar jobs likely won’t get you the results you’re targeting.

You can send a counter offer using a letter or an email. You can also negotiate a counter offer verbally, but sending a written counter offer allows you to keep a record of the negotiation. Generally, a PDF or Word letter attached to an email is preferred when a signed document is requested by the company or when negotiating executive-level offers. An email is generally more appropriate in all other scenarios.

Should I Counter a Job Offer?

You can counter any job offer that you receive; however, the success of the counter offer depends on whether or not you can justify it. Relying solely on emotion to counter an offer is unlikely to result in a successful negotiation. Be sure to do your research so that you can compose a strong argument that justifies your request for higher salary or better benefits and perks.

What to Do Before You Counter a Job Offer

First, review the job offer in its entirety, including benefits, to determine if you’d like to make a counter offer based on your salary expectations and needs. A lower salary can sometimes be offset by better benefits. Be sure to prioritize the benefits that are most valuable to you. For example, would you accept a lower salary if the role was fully remote or offered a flexible work schedule? Would you accept $5K less on your base salary if you were eligible for bonuses or commissions?

If you decide to move forward with writing a counter offer letter, you’ll want to do your research so that you can make a strong argument for your counter offer. Start by researching or reviewing the following information:

• Salary Data: Review the salary range from the original job posting. If a salary range wasn’t listed, search for average salary ranges by visiting sites such as Glassdoor and Salary.com, or looking at job postings that are similar to the job you’ve been offered (average salary ranges can vary depending on location, so be sure to take that into consideration).
• Original Job Posting: Review the minimum and preferred qualifications that were listed on the original job posting. Do you exceed these minimum qualifications? Do you possess any of the preferred qualifications?
• Specific Accomplishments: Review any documents that highlight your past accomplishments, such as your resume, LinkedIn profile, or performance reports from current or previous companies. Make a list of your top accomplishments that align with the needs of the company that made the offer. If you need help, see our guide to writing a resume.
• Other Job Offers: If you’ve received multiple written job offers and at least one offers a higher salary, it can be used to negotiate a higher salary for the offer that you’re most interested in accepting. Be sure to review the benefits information as well, as benefits can also be negotiated.

After you send a counter offer letter, the company may accept, decline, or provide a counter offer of their own. Before sending a counter offer, you’ll need to define your line in the sand: what you’re willing to accept and what you’re not willing to accept. That way, you’ll be prepared, no matter how the company responds to your counter offer. Whatever the company decides to do, be sure to get any changes to the offer in writing.

What Else Can I Negotiate Besides Salary?

Most job seekers make the mistake of only negotiating the base salary, but there are other valuable benefits and perks that can be negotiated. These perks and benefits can boost your bottom line or add value to your lifestyle. These include:

• Signing bonus
• Commission or performance bonus percentage
• Remote or hybrid work schedule
• Flexible work hours
• PTO and leave
• Home office stipends (if you work from home)
• Wellness stipends, such as gym memberships
• Relocation expenses (if the new job requires you to move)
• Reimbursements for traveling, commuting, or daycare
• Reimbursement for tuition, certifications, or professional association memberships
• Reimbursement for your phone (if the employer requires you to use your personal cell)
• Equity, such as stock options or profit-sharing
• Your start date
• Your job title (this may help position you better for future promotions or bonuses, and can improve the impression of your resume if you look for another job in the future)

The benefits and perks that come with your job are going to vary widely depending on the company, your job title, and policy. However, depending on your specific needs and lifestyle, they may be worth negotiating.

The next section reviews what to include in an offer letter. It may be beneficial to review how to write professional job letters.

What to Include in a Counter Offer Letter

When composing a counter offer letter, be sure to include the following:

• Business Letter Information: If you choose to submit a formal counter offer letter, you’ll need to use a business letter format, similar to your cover letter. Include your contact information, the specific person you’re addressing the letter to, the company’s contact information, and the date.
• A Professional Greeting: For a letter, “Dear” is standard. If sending a counter offer via email, you can use “Hello” or “Good morning/afternoon.”
• Gratitude for the Offer: Begin your counter offer letter with a short paragraph that expresses your interest in working for the company and your appreciation for receiving a job offer.
• Your Counter Offer and Justification: In the next paragraph, be specific about the offer you wish to receive and why this offer is justified. Support the justification with the evidence you gathered, e.g., average salaries for comparable positions in your area.
• Closing Paragraph: Restate your interest in working with the company. If you’re open to speaking to the hiring manager directly, you can also offer to meet with them to discuss the negotiation via phone or virtual meeting.
• Professional Closing: Include a closing like “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” followed by your name.

If you choose to submit a counter offer as an email rather than a letter, you can either reply to the original job offer email thread, or you can start a new email thread. If you begin a new email, be sure to include an appropriate subject line for the email.

Counter Offer Email Example: Job Title Change

SUBJECT: Offer Review for the HR Leader Role

Good morning Jamie,

Thank you so much for forwarding the official offer letter and benefits package for the HR Leader role. I’m excited to begin working with MNO Enterprise and sharing my ideas for ways to streamline operations.

After reviewing the job description more closely and going over our previous conversation, I feel that a title change is in order. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), leaders inspire others and influence change, whereas managers hold formal authority over team members, allocate resources, and drive operational efficiency. Given that this position will require me to “complete annual performance evaluations” for the four-person team and “capitalize on cost-savings,” I believe that the title for this role should be updated to “HR Manager” instead of “HR Leader.”

I’m very interested in moving forward in the talent acquisition process with MNO Enterprise, and I welcome any questions that you may have about the proposed title change. I look forward to your response.

Thank you for your time,

Charlie James

Counter Offer Email Example: Salary Increase

SUBJECT: Counter Offer: Sales Leader Role

Dear Jordan,

I was thrilled to receive an offer for the Sales Leader role with ABC Company. I’m very interested in the opportunity, but before I accept the offer, I’d like to discuss the salary.

I’ve reviewed the job offer package, and while this offer is very generous, I’d like to be considered for a higher base salary. Not only do I exceed the minimum required years of experience by five years, but I have also continued to professionally develop by completing training courses on modern sales techniques and the use of AI in sales and marketing. Additionally, I have a proven track record with my current company in consistently exceeding sales targets by an average of 23%, a feat that I plan to achieve for ABC Company as well. For these reasons, I believe an annual base salary of $60K is more aligned with the value that I will bring to ABC Company’s team.

I’m excited to begin this new role, and I’m confident that we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement regarding this job offer. Please let me know if you’d like to discuss the details via phone or virtual meeting.

Thank you,

Riley Smith

Counter Offer Letter Example: Remote Work

Cameron Jones
123 Street
Some City, ST 01234

August 1, 2026

Jessie Simpson
TUV Corporation
456 Avenue, Suite 100
Some City, ST 56789

Dear Jessie Simpson:

I was happy to receive the job offer from TUV Corporation for the Cybersecurity Specialist role. I’m eager to bring my 15+ years of expertise to the team and mitigate cyber threats.

I have reviewed the job offer in its entirety, and I believe the salary, benefits, and perks are in alignment with the experience and education that I bring to the table. I would like to explore the possibility of working 100% remotely. I believe this is in the best interest of TUV Corporation for the following reasons:

• As I have been in this industry for many years, I have a dedicated office space in my home, so working remotely wouldn’t be an imposition for the company or me.
• A fully remote role would reduce the amount of money TUV Corporation would spend on the commuting stipend.
• A fully remote role would minimize distractions so that I could focus and provide high-quality work.

I’m confident that transitioning this position from hybrid to fully remote is a mutually beneficial decision. If you wish to discuss this request further, please let me know a good date and time to schedule a Teams meeting. Thank you for your continued consideration, and I’m excited to begin working with TUV Corporation.

Kindest regards,

Cameron Jones

Common Counter Offer Letter Mistakes

You want to present a persuasive counter offer letter that uses evidence and data to support your counter offer. Avoid these common pitfalls:

• Being too lengthy: You want to be as succinct as possible while still getting your message across. Focus on the quality of the content, not the quantity.
• Relying on emotion: Focusing your narrative on personal needs or wants isn’t going to have the impact that you need in order to make the counter offer successful. Instead, demonstrate why your counter offer is beneficial for the company as well as yourself.
• Taking too long to decide: Generally, you’ll want to accept or counter the job offer within two business days. Otherwise, a company may believe that you are no longer interested in the role and move on to another candidate.
• Bluffing: Do not claim that you have another job offer when you don’t. The company may ask for proof of the offer, and if you’re not able to provide it, that could break trust with the company.
• Failing to support the counter offer with data: Using reliable information, such as market data and salary information, will strengthen your counter offer claim.
• Being demanding or issuing ultimatums: Aggressive tactics will likely weaken trust with the potential employer even before you start the role. A negotiation is a conversation, not a competition.

What Happens After You Send the Counter Offer Letter or Email?

The hiring manager or HR professional will likely need to get approval for the changes that you requested. It may take several days, so be patient. If after three business days you haven’t received a response, check back in to reconfirm your interest and request an update.

If the company requests a conversation to negotiate your offer, it’s a good idea to accept it. Be prepared for the conversation with the information that you’ve gathered to support your counter offer and determine what you’re willing to accept or not accept. The company might want to compromise and find a middle ground, so be prepared for that possibility.

If you receive an updated offer from the company, be sure to get it in writing and review it carefully before writing a job acceptance letter.

FAQs

How do I write a counter offer email for a job?

Use a clear and concise subject line. You’ll want to start the body of the email by expressing interest in the offer. Then, you’ll need to clarify the change you’d like made to the original offer and why you believe this is justified. Close the email by once again expressing interest, offering to speak via phone or virtual meeting (optional), and finish with a professional closing.

What should I put as the subject line of a counter offer email?

You want your subject line to be clear, succinct, and professional. Something like “Job Offer Review for (Job Title)” or “Counter Offer for (Job Title)” works well.

Can I negotiate a job offer without losing it?

Companies can rescind job offers, but it is unlikely that they will do so simply because you provided a counter offer. Most companies expect negotiation, so sending a counter offer isn’t usually a deal breaker. However, being demanding, aggressive, or unprofessional in your counter offer can lead the company to rethink hiring you, so be sure that your language is appropriate and that you show gratitude and excitement.

What can I negotiate besides salary?

Many benefits and perks are negotiable, including stipends, bonuses, leave, and work hours. You can also negotiate start date and job title. The benefits and perks that are available for negotiation are going to vary by company and job title, so be sure to review the entire job offer package (salary and benefits) before deciding what to negotiate.

Should I counter a job offer by phone or email?

You’ll want to send a counter offer letter by email, either as an attached document or in the body of the email itself. That way, you’ll have a written record of the counter offer. However, actual negotiations can be handled via phone or email.

If you’ve built a relationship with the hiring manager/HR professional, are being considered for a public-facing role (such as sales), or are being considered for an executive role, negotiations should likely be handled via phone or virtual meeting. Otherwise, email is usually fine. To be safe, you can include an invitation to speak via phone or virtual meeting in your counter offer letter to provide the reader with options.

What if I accept an offer with one company, but then receive another offer with a second company?

If you decide to stay with the first company, then politely decline the second company. If you decide to take the second company’s offer, understand that you may damage your reputation with the first company and hurt your chances of working with them in the future. Whatever you decide, communicate early, clearly, and professionally by writing a job rejection letter.

Most states in the US are at-will employment states, meaning that you can back out of a signed job offer at any time. However, contract terms may affect your ability to back out of an employment contract. If you’re concerned about legal ramifications, it may help to seek legal assistance.