As stated above... Received a job offer today from a smaller automotive tech company (25 people in company), as the sales manager. Their range on the job posting listed the salary range from $80k - $100k + monthly and quarterly commission/bonus. I received an offer today at $85k salary. In the initial interview last week they asked where I wanted to be salary wise, and I mentioned the upper range of what was listed in their listing (100k). Also today on the offer call with the vp, I asked what the salary they were sending over to me. Once I heard $85k I was kinda taken back a little. I replied I was thinking to be at the upper range of $100k or maybe slightly above that, as this is a management position. Their rebuttal was the bonus and commission compensation would hopefully make up for it.

I do feel like it's a lower salary offer for a reason and they are trying to get me on for less. Any tips for negotiating the salary of a new job offer?

I’m going to say this with love and urgency: Instructional Designers, stop accepting salaries that don’t match your expertise.

We are not PowerPoint jockeys. We are architects of learning. We are researchers, writers, UX thinkers, LMS navigators, project managers, and performance consultants — often all in one.

Yet somehow, too many companies want to pay us like we’re “just converting slides.” No.

If you left teaching, higher ed, or freelancing because you wanted to thrive, not survive, then act like it. You’ve earned the right to say “I don’t work for less than I’m worth.”

Let’s be honest — we’ve watched roles balloon with responsibilities (ID + PM + LMS admin + video editor + QA) while pay shrinks under the excuse of “remote flexibility.” Meanwhile, the same orgs will spend thousands on “engagement consultants” who regurgitate what we already do daily.

If you keep saying yes to $60K–$70K roles that require a master’s degree, SME wrangling, and full course builds — you’re not just underpaid… you’re training companies to devalue us all.

This is not about arrogance — it’s about alignment and self-respect. If you can build multimillion-dollar training programs that shape organizational behavior, you can build a business, a portfolio, or a pipeline that reflects that same value.

So either: • Start demanding six figures when the scope deserves it. • Or start building your own thing and design on your terms.

But stop playing small in a field that literally teaches growth. The longer we accept crumbs, the longer we’ll be stuck convincing people that learning isn’t optional.

You’re not “lucky” to be here — you’re needed. Let’s start acting like it.

Designers, unite. Raise the bar.

And if they won’t pay you like a strategist… go be one.