Just closed a negotiation for a Senior PM role in Plano. Initial offer: $112K. Final: $130K + $5K signing bonus. Here's exactly what I did.
Step 1: Know your number BEFORE the interview
- Researched the role on Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, and Blind
- DFW Senior PM range: $110-145K depending on company/industry
- My target: $130K (75th percentile for the market)
Step 2: Never give your number first
- When asked "What are your salary expectations?" I said: "I'd like to learn more about the total compensation package. What's the budgeted range for this role?"
- They said $105-125K. I noted the top of the range.
Step 3: Let them make the first offer
- After final round, offer came: $112K base, standard benefits, 10% bonus target
- This was the midpoint of their stated range. Always the case.
Step 4: Counter with data
- "Thank you for the offer. I'm excited about the role. Based on my research of Senior PM compensation in DFW (Levels.fyi, Glassdoor) and my 7 years of experience, I was expecting compensation closer to $132K. I have [specific accomplishments] that justify this."
- Provided 3 comp data points from Levels.fyi showing the range
Step 5: Negotiate beyond base
- They came back at $125K. I asked for $130K + $5K signing bonus to bridge the gap.
- Also negotiated: extra week PTO (3→4 weeks), remote flexibility (2→3 days)
Final package: $130K base + 10% bonus + $5K signing = $148K first-year TC. Original: $123K TC.
Sources:
- Levels.fyi — PM compensation data for DFW
- Glassdoor — salary reports
- "Never Split the Difference" by Chris Voss — negotiation framework
- SHRM — negotiation statistics