What Tech Recruiters Don’t Tell Latinas About Salary Bands (And How to Find Out)
Let me say this loudly: RECRUITERS ARE NOT ON YOUR SIDE WHEN IT COMES TO PAY.
Especially if you’re a Latina in tech.
You’ve probably been told:
“We can’t go higher. That’s just the range.”
“Based on your experience, this is what we can offer.”
Sounds official, right? It’s a lie.
Because here’s what they don’t want you to know: salary bands are flexible for the right person, if you ask like you know they’re lying.
Companies hide salary bands on purpose because keeping you in the dark is how they lowball you and call it ‘market rate.’
It’s time to redefine the rules. Here’s how to force the real numbers into the light:
1. Salary Bands Are Not Set in Stone, They Just Hope You Think They Are
A recruiter will never start with their best offer. They will always try to pay you the lowest number they think you’ll accept.
Why? Because the company already has a budget.
That salary band? It’s not a hard cap. If they want you, they will find the money.
And if they won’t share the full range? That’s because they don’t want you to know how much more they’re paying someone else.
2. Ask Direct Questions That Require a Direct Answer
Stop asking for “ballpark” numbers. Stop letting them dodge.
Instead, ask:
“What is the salary band for this role, including equity, signing bonuses, and total compensation?”
Not “What’s typical?”—ask for their budget.
When they try to talk in circles, don’t let them. Push back:
“I appreciate that. I’m asking for the actual band because it’s important to align before moving forward. What’s the full compensation range?”
And if they keep dodging? Call it out:
“I’ve seen similar roles paying $175K to $200K base. Is that aligned with what you’ve budgeted, or are you working from a different range?”
This does two things:
It forces them to react to real numbers.
It puts you in control because now they know you’re not playing.
3. Know Your Numbers Better Than They Do
Recruiters love to make you feel like they have all the power.
But here’s the truth: the person who knows their numbers wins.
Use Levels.fyi and Blind to get real salary data.
Talk to people who look like you, not just white men in tech.
Remember that their “market rate” isn’t always yours, companies pay different people differently.
If you don’t come in knowing your worth, they will decide it for you and that number will be lower than what they’re paying the guy next to you.
4. If They Refuse to Be Transparent About Money, Run
A company that won’t give you a straight answer on salary is a company that will keep you in the dark about everything else:
Promotions
Raises
Equity
If they can’t respect your time during the hiring process, they sure as hell won’t respect it once you’re on payroll.
Not sure if an offer is worth it? Let’s break it down in a free career strategy call.
FAQs: Salary Negotiation Tips
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Salary bands are the pay range a company sets for a specific role or level. They include:
Base salary (the number they tell you upfront)
Equity (stocks, RSUs, or company shares)
Bonuses (signing bonus, performance bonus, or annual bonus)
Companies won’t always offer you the top of the band—but if you know how to ask, you can push for the higher range.
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Flip it back on them.
“I’m more focused on understanding the salary band for this role. Can you share the range?”
If they push you for a number, say:
“I’d rather hear your budget first so I can make sure we’re aligned.
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Recruiters love to claim they don’t have “access” to salary bands. That’s a lie.
Here’s where to get real numbers:
Levels.fyi for verified salaries
Blind for unfiltered pay transparency
Ask people who look like you. Pay gaps mean that white men’s salaries aren’t always useful data for us.
If a company isn’t paying fairly? You deserve better.
If They’re Hiding Salary Bands, They’re Hiding Other Things Too
Latinas in tech already have enough barriers to deal with.
The least these companies can do is be honest about what they’re willing to pay.
If they won’t give you a straight number, run.
If they say they “can’t disclose it yet,” that’s a red flag.
If they expect you to name your number first, that’s a setup.
Your job isn’t to make them comfortable. It’s to make sure you get paid.
If you want to walk into your next negotiation ready to call the shots, book a free career strategy call.