- Author
- Abi Talbot
- Published
- 7th November, 2025
Asking about salary can feel awkward for jobseekers. People worry it’ll make them look “difficult” or “too money focused”. But in reality, salary is one of the most important factors in whether a job is right for you — and employers know this.
At Service Care Solutions, we talk to thousands of candidates every year across social care, healthcare, criminal justice, education and more. And this question comes up constantly:
“When is the right moment — and what’s the right wording — to ask about salary?”
Salary is not an uncomfortable subject
There is nothing unprofessional about wanting to understand job salary early in the process.
Salary affects:
- your decision making
- your financial stability
- your long-term planning
- your wellbeing
It’s a core part of the recruitment conversation, the only thing that matters is how and when you ask.
When should you ask about salary?
If salary is NOT listed on the job advert, bring it up early.
A good recruiter will usually tell you the salary range upfront. If not— you should absolutely ask. You do not need to wait until second interview as asking early allows both sides to avoid wasting time.
How to phrase it professionally
Here are three simple sentences you can use.
Option 1 — Direct but polite:
“Can you confirm the salary range for this role so I understand if it aligns with what I’m looking for?”
Option 2 — Range-based:
“I’m typically looking for roles in the £X–£Y range. Does this position broadly fall within that?”
Option 3 — Framed around decision making:
“Before we progress too far — could you share the salary range so I can assess whether it’s viable for me?”
These all signal confidence, clarity, and a professional approach without sounding demanding, rude or greedy.
What to avoid when asking about salary
Here are the three big mistakes we see in recruitment every day:
1) Remove all apology language
Example: “Sorry to ask… I don’t want to be a pain but…”
2) Don’t ask: “What’s the most you can pay?”
That feels adversarial.
3) Don’t ask: “What does everyone else earn?”
Irrelevant and unprofessional.
What to say if an employer asks you the question first
For example: “What’s your desired salary?”
You don’t have to commit to one number, you can state a range.
Example answer:
“I’m comfortable in the £XX to £YY range, depending on the total package and development opportunity.”
This shows:
- flexibility
- maturity
- awareness of market value
What if the employer refuses to tell you?
Sometimes organisations say things like:
- “We don’t disclose salary at this point.”
- “We want to see what you’re expecting first.”
- “We will discuss pay after interview.”
This can be a red flag, in a healthy recruitment process — salary transparency should not be a secret and you are allowed to disengage if an employer won’t disclose a ballpark figure.
Mention total package, not just salary
Many roles in public service spaces (care, justice, education etc.) have other benefits that matter too.
For example:
- fixed shifts vs rotating shifts
- paid training
- supervision support
- career progression
- protected CPD time
- mileage
- travel expenses
- wellbeing support
- enhanced bank holiday or weekend rates
So another phrase you can use is:
“Could you share the salary range and an overview of the benefits or additional allowances, so I can see the full picture?”
This shows you’re thinking long-term, not just about the basic wage.
The result
Recruiters respect candidates who:
- are clear
- ask direct questions
- know their worth
- don’t waste time on roles that aren’t viable
If you’re looking for a:
- Criminal Justice Job
- Healthcare Job
- Education Job
- Housing Job
- Legal Job
- Finance Job
- Construction Job
- Social Care Job
Service Care Solutions can:
- give you accurate insight on salary ranges
- help you benchmark your experience vs market rates
- guide you on negotiation
- match you to roles that meet your needs
We are here to make the recruitment process more transparent and less stressful. If you want support finding a role that suits your needs- get in touch with our team of experts today!