How the maths works

Every number in the Offer Negotiation Calculator is produced by a transparent formula. This page shows you exactly what goes in, what comes out, and what we assumed along the way.

Important disclaimer

All figures are illustrative estimates only — not derived from a commissioned study, proprietary dataset, or verified third-party survey. The formulas use commonly cited negotiation heuristics to show directional potential, not a guaranteed outcome. Actual results vary by role, seniority, geography, industry, and market conditions.

We will replace these heuristics with verified sources as they are obtained. Until then, treat every output as a starting point for your own research — not a promise.

Select model

Model A — Offer Negotiation

Estimates the salary uplift a non-engineering candidate achieves by negotiating with competing offers in hand.

Base hike

base_hike_pct = 12%

Fixed constant

A 12% baseline represents a commonly cited average raise when changing employers. Source: career-advice literature (LinkedIn, Glassdoor). No peer-reviewed study linked yet.

Leverage multiplier (per extra offer)

leverage_pct = (competing_offers − 1) × 8.5// 0 when offers = 1

Per-offer coefficient

Each competing offer beyond the first strengthens your BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement) and adds ~8.5 pp of leverage. This coefficient is an internal heuristic — not statistically validated.

Final salary projection

final_pct = base_hike_pct + leverage_pct

gain = salary × (final_pct / 100)

new_offer = salary + gain

The base and leverage percentages combine linearly. Salary × rate gives the absolute dollar gain; adding it to the base gives the projected new offer.

Worked example · Default inputs

current_salary=$120,000// slider default

competing_offers=2// slider default

base_hike_pct=12%

leverage_pct=(2−1) × 8.5 = 8.5%

final_pct=12 + 8.5 = 20.5%// rounded → 21%

gain=$120,000 × 0.205 = $24,600

new_offer_potential=$144,600// projected result

Key assumptions at a glance

12%

Job-change base raise

Mid-range of 10–15% cited by LinkedIn & Glassdoor career guides. No peer-reviewed study linked yet.

8.5pp

Per-offer leverage add

Internal heuristic from negotiation coaching guidance. Strengthens BATNA with each competing offer.

18%

Coding TC baseline uplift

Conservative illustrative estimate for top-tier technical screen success. Not sourced from a named study.

200 hrs

Full prep cycle

Midpoint of the 150–300 hour range cited by interview coaches for a complete technical preparation.

What we plan to improve

Commission or identify a peer-reviewed / industry salary survey to replace heuristic coefficients.
Publish the coefficient source next to each input in the calculator UI.
Add regional breakdowns (US, UK, EU, IN) once salary-by-region data is available.
Version this methodology page so readers can track changes over time.

Last updated: September 2026 · No external sources verified yet.

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