8 common non-salary negotiable items
Here are a few items that you can negotiate outside of your base salary:
1. Job Title
The job title isn’t just a label—it shapes how recruiters find you, how future employers evaluate your experience, and even how you show up on LinkedIn.
If the offer comes with a title that undervalues your role or experience, ask for one that matches the scope of your responsibilities. For example, if you’re leading projects and managing people, “Project Manager” may not cut it. Request something more strategic, like “Program Lead” or “Operations Manager.” Negotiating your job title costs the company nothing, but can compound your career value over time. Don’t skip it.
A stronger title can lead to:
- Better future salary offers
- Higher perceived authority
- More relevant inbound opportunities
2. Commission Percentage
If your role includes any kind of sales, partnerships, or business development, your commission percentage is just as important as your base. When the salary isn’t flexible, increasing your cut of revenue is one of the smartest ways to improve your overall compensation package.
Here’s how to approach it:
- Ask for a tiered structure (e.g., higher commission for exceeding targets)
- Clarify what counts as a “closed deal” or qualified sale
- Make sure the payout timeline is short and predictable
This is one of the most effective things to negotiate other than salary because it directly impacts your earning power. You’re betting on yourself—and if you’re confident in your performance, it’s a win-win.
3. Retirement Benefits
Even if you’re focused on short-term gains, don’t ignore retirement benefits—they’re a powerful part of your long-term compensation package.
Here’s what to ask about:
- Employer 401(k) match or contribution percentage
- Vesting schedule (how long until the money is yours)
- Access to financial advisors or planning tools
- Profit-sharing or pension plans, if available
If the base pay is fixed, strong additional benefits for employees like retirement contributions can still put thousands in your pocket every year. This is one of the smartest things to negotiate other than salary—especially if you’re planning to stay for more than a year.
4. Health and Wellness Perks
When negotiating benefits, don’t stop at the basics. Most companies have room to offer better health coverage or wellness support if you ask.
Here’s what to look for:
- Premium medical, dental, or vision plans
- Mental health coverage or therapy reimbursements
- Fertility, maternity, or family-planning benefits
- Gym memberships or wellness stipends
These are real additional benefits for employees that can save you thousands and improve your quality of life. If the salary isn’t flexible, push for stronger health perks as part of your compensation package negotiation.
5. Equity or Stock Options
This is where real wealth gets built. If you’re joining a startup or private company, don’t skip this conversation. What to negotiate in a job offer isn’t just base pay—it’s ownership.
Here’s exactly what to ask:
- Number of shares or percentage ownership
- Valuation of the company at the time of grant
- Strike price vs. current fair market value
- Vesting schedule (4 years with a 1-year cliff is common)
- Acceleration clauses (what happens if the company gets acquired?)
- Preferred vs. common stock (are your shares worth less than investors’?)
Equity is one of the most powerful things to negotiate other than salary, but only if you understand what you’re getting. Don’t just ask if equity is “included”—ask for the cap table, dilution risk, and exit plan. This is high-value leverage in any compensation package negotiation.
Related: 5 Tips to Understand Equity and Stocks to Better Negotiate Your Salary
6. Vacation Days / PTO
Time off is currency. If the salary isn’t flexible, get paid in freedom.
Here’s how to push for more:
- Ask for 3–5 extra PTO days up front
- Negotiate the ability to roll over unused days
- Request sabbatical eligibility after 2–3 years
- Clarify policy on mental health days or flexible leave
- Lock in remote work + travel combos, if possible
Related: How to Negotiate for More Vacation Time at Work
7. Professional Development Budget
If you’re negotiating salary for a new job and hit a hard ceiling, pivot to growth.
Ask for a professional development budget—it’s one of the highest-impact, low-cost additional benefits for employees. This gives you access to paid learning that upgrades your skills and future earning power.
What to ask for:
- $1,000–$5,000 annually for certifications, conferences, and courses
- Paid days off for training or study
- Reimbursement for books, software, or memberships
- Internal mentorship or coaching programs
This is one of the smartest moves in negotiating benefits. It shows you’re serious about growth, and it positions you as a long-term asset. The best way to negotiate salary isn’t always about cash. Sometimes, it’s about turning the offer into a launchpad.
8. Remote Flexibility
When negotiating salary in a new job feels like a dead end, go after lifestyle leverage. Remote work—even a hybrid setup—can save you hours per week, reduce burnout, and cut expenses (commute, clothes, childcare, food). That’s real value.
Here’s what to push for:
- Full remote or flexible hybrid schedule
- “Core hours” structure instead of 9–5
- Autonomy over location, timezone, or working abroad
- Quarterly travel support if you’re expected to come in occasionally
This is a high-impact play when you’re negotiating benefits beyond base pay. Remote flexibility may not show up on your payslip—but in many cases, it’s the best way to negotiate salary without touching salary. You’re buying back time, energy, and freedom.
Final Thoughts
When the base salary is locked, your leverage isn’t gone—it’s just redirected. These eight strategies are the smartest, most practical ways to reshape an offer and walk away with a total package that works for you.
At CareerTuners, we specialize in helping professionals like you navigate these conversations with confidence. Whether you’re renegotiating internally or starting fresh with a new employer, our expert coaches will help you identify what’s on the table—and how to claim it.
Explore all our services here.
Or if you’re ready to maximize your next offer, check out our Salary Negotiation Coaching page.
We back our work with a double guarantee: If you don’t get a raise, we refund you. If your raise doesn’t cover the coaching fee, we refund the difference.
No guesswork. No fluff. Just real, proven outcomes.
