How to prepare for your first salary negotiation
It can be difficult to negotiate your salary as a new graduate. You have never done it before, and you may be unsure of what you can do or how much you can demand.
But your first salary negotiation is important because it sets the tone for your salary for the rest of your employment – and your working life. A low starting salary makes it difficult to catch up later in your career. And you will rarely be able to negotiate your salary up by several thousand pounds in an annual salary negotiation without moving up the career ladder or changing jobs.
It is important to remember that you do not get the salary you deserve, but the salary you negotiate.
Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about salary negotiations as a recent graduate and see specific advice from IDA's experts on how to approach your first salary negotiation.
Private sector or public sector – what can I negotiate as a recent graduate?
There is a big difference in what you can negotiate depending on whether you are employed in a private company or in the public sector.
- Jobs in the private sector: Most IDA members are employed in the private sector. As a private sector employee, you will typically have an individual contract, and the salary level may vary depending on the industry, type of company, position and your profile. Here, it is up to you to negotiate a good salary and good working conditions.
Some private companies have a collective agreement. In that case, you need to be familiar with the agreement to know what you can negotiate.
- Employed in the public sector: Most public sector employees (and certain private companies) have a collective agreement. A collective agreement is an agreement between a trade union and an employer organisation or a company that sets out the general salary and employment conditions.
If you are employed under a collective agreement, either in the private sector or as a public sector employee at national, regional or local level, it is important that you are familiar with the collective agreement and know what you can negotiate. Even if the salary framework is fixed, you may be able to negotiate your salary level or salary supplements.
IDA negotiates collective agreements on behalf of its members in both the private and public sectors. As a member of IDA, you can get advice on pay and collective agreements when you are looking for a job.
Se collective agreements in IDA's area (in Danish)
How to negotiate salaries in the public sector
Log in for advice on your salary
How much should I earn in my first job as a new graduate?
Your salary depends on your profile, the position you are hired for and any collective agreements in the area.
That is why it is important that you know your own value in the labour market.
As a member of IDA, you have access to a wide range of specialised and up-to-date salary tools, such as
- IDA's Salary Calculator: Calculate the salary level for your personal profile.
- IDA's Salary Statistics: See the salary level and salary trends for private and public sector employees.
- IDA's Company Statistics: See the salary level in the company where you want to apply for a job.
- IDA's Salary Compass: Check the starting salary for new graduates in the private labour market.
The salary tools can help you find the right salary level for your profile in your future job.
How to use IDA's salary tools to get the salary you deserve
In addition to researching the salary level for your profile, your field of work and the company where you are applying for a job, you can also contact the union representative at your new workplace and ask about the company's salary level and salary package. Also, talk to your fellow students about what they earn and what conditions they have in their jobs. This will give you a better idea of what you can realistically expect in terms of salary.
You should end up with three specific figures for the salary you will negotiate for your new job:
- Your desired salary
- The realistic offer
- Your pain threshold.
Remember to consider your pension when deciding on a salary level. If you are looking for a job in the private sector, you should be aware of whether pension contributions are made, as this is not regulated by law. If you are looking for a job in the public sector, the amount paid into your pension is specified in the collective agreement.
How to make sure you save enough for your pension
Log in and get advice on salary and your salary level
What is the average salary for new graduates in my field?
Every year, IDA compiles salary statistics where you can find the starting salary for those employed in IT, natural sciences or engineering.
Starting salary for private sector employees in 2024, broken down by education:
- MScs: DKK 47,845
- Civil engineers and others with higher education: DKK 46,435
- Diploma engineers, bachelors and others with medium-length higher education: DKK 44,212
Recommended starting salary for new graduates in 2025 employed in the private sector
- MScs: DKK 48,800
- Civil engineers and others with long higher education: DKK 47,400
- Diploma engineers, bachelors and others with medium-length higher education: DKK 45,100
Starting salary in the public sector in 2024
- State sector: DKK 39,312
- Municipalities: DKK 41,362
- Regions: DKK 38,613
Source: IDA salary statistics 2024
What arguments can I use when negotiating my salary as a recent graduate with no previous experience?
When negotiating salary as a recent graduate, it can be difficult to find the right arguments because you do not have much experience.
The lack of experience can also make it difficult to ask for what you are worth.
But even if you are completely new to the job market in your field, you have plenty of good reasons to get the right salary.
If you are attending a job interview as a recent graduate, the employer does not expect you to be an expert. On the other hand, you have the latest knowledge from your education, and you can look at the workplace with fresh eyes and bring innovation. This makes you valuable to an employer who wants to be competitive.
In addition, you can focus on the things you learned during your studies:
- Your professional knowledge and level of education
- Programs, systems and tools
- Group work, reports, presentations, communication and prioritisation of resources
- Personal skills in areas such as motivation, willingness to learn and potential
- If you have relevant experience from internships, your student job or voluntary work, this can also strengthen your position.
Use specific examples of responsibilities and results to argue for a higher salary.
Choose a few arguments that can substantiate your value to the company and stick to them.
It is better to have a few strong arguments that you repeat and elaborate on than many arguments. Some arguments will always be weaker than others, and if you bring up the weaker arguments, you will often end up discussing them instead of the strongest arguments – and that is not to your advantage.
What should I say when discussing salary at my first salary negotiation as a recent graduate?
When presenting your salary proposal to an employer, you can use phrases such as: "I had imagined a salary of around..." or "When I look at the job content, my immediate assessment is that...".
It is important that you have a specific figure to start with – and that your wording shows that you are open and willing to negotiate.
After you have presented your salary proposal, you can pass the ball back to the employer by saying, for example: "But of course, I am also very excited to hear what you had in mind".
If you don't return the ball, you risk the employer noting down your salary proposal without you knowing whether it matches the employer's expectations. Knowing what the employer is thinking makes the salary negotiation much easier for you.
How do I prepare for my first salary negotiation as a recent graduate?
When preparing for your first salary negotiation as a recent graduate, you should first and foremost decide on a realistic salary proposal.
In addition, you should also practise the salary negotiation by saying your arguments and your salary proposal out loud so that you can stand by it without sounding too passive, too defensive or your voice shaking.
By being prepared for a salary negotiation, you show that you dare to negotiate, that you have opinions and that you stand up for yourself. These are skills that are almost always valued in any employee. In addition, salary negotiations are good training in communicating your skills and qualifications and making yourself visible.
This will not be the last time you negotiate your salary. So the sooner you practise, the better.
When should I negotiate my salary as a recent graduate?
There are no fixed rules for when in the job search process you can talk about salary. Salary negotiations can take place
- at the first interview
- at the second interview
- when you receive the contract
Be prepared for different situations and have a specific figure ready so that you can give a qualified answer and justify your proposal if the employer asks about your salary expectations.
Do not just bounce the ball back without responding.
Consider whether it would be beneficial for you to take the initiative and bring up the subject of salary. If you bring up the subject of salary yourself, it means that the employer will have to negotiate you down instead of you having to negotiate the employer up. In addition, it shows initiative and courage to stand by yourself and your worth.
What should I do if the employer does not open up for salary negotiations?
If the employer does not open up for salary negotiations during the application process, you must bring up the subject yourself.
Perhaps the employer will tell you during the job interview what they can offer you in terms of salary without opening up for negotiation. In that case, you could say, for example: "That's a little lower than what I had in mind. I was thinking xx, so perhaps there's a possibility that we could negotiate or talk a little more about it?"
It may also be the case that the employer does not mention salary during the job interview. However, this does not mean that you cannot try to negotiate. Instead, you can take the initiative and ask if there is room for salary negotiation.
Another possibility is that you do not discuss salary during the interviews, but that you are only presented with the salary when you receive the contract. In this case, you can still try to negotiate. Call or write to the employer to thank them for the contract and express your desire to discuss the salary, if possible.
What should I do as a recent graduate if the employer's salary offer is too low?
You should not settle for a salary that you actually think is too low – even if you really want the job.
Perhaps you have been unemployed. Perhaps you are short of money. Perhaps you are just happy to earn a full monthly salary. Perhaps you are told that the job has a fixed salary range and there is nothing to negotiate.
The joy of getting the job may be short-lived if you accept a salary that you think is too low. It is also not in the employer's interest to pay you too little, as they risk spending resources on training you, only for you to quickly look for another job and leave the position.
If you are offered a salary at the lower end of the spectrum, you can negotiate for example:
- A lower base salary with the possibility of a bonus
- A lump sum
- An agreement on a salary increase after a probationary period or a few months, once you have demonstrated your abilities.
In addition, remember that salary is not just about money. You can also negotiate other working conditions, such as working from home, further training, more holiday, etc.
See which other benefits you can negotiate about
See IDA's guide to employment terms
How do I negotiate salary in a graduate programme?
As a recent graduate, you can kick-start your career with a graduate programme. This is a pre-planned job programme in a large company, where you will work in different divisions and test your skills. Usually, you will be offered a permanent position afterwards.
A graduate programme typically lasts 1-3 years.
If you are hired for a graduate programme, there is often a fixed salary package, but you can still ask about bonuses, development opportunities and future salary development.
Get salary negotiation tips in the interactive salary negotiation course for recent graduates
If you want to prepare for salary negotiations at your own pace, take IDA's interactive salary negotiation course and be ready to stand strong when negotiating your salary at the job interview.
Get help with your employment contract
When you land your first job, don't just look at your salary – your contract also contains important information about holidays, employee benefits, parental leave, pension and many other things.
That's why you should always check your contract to ensure you get the best possible terms and conditions in your working life.