What salary to ask for in USD for a remote role
Few moments freeze Brazilians applying for international roles like the salary question. The instinct is to convert to reais, see a number that looks huge and ask for too little, losing thousands of dollars per year. Being able to talk about salary in dollars with confidence is one of the most valuable skills when pursuing remote work abroad.
By Carlos Jacon · Founder of CareersForge · Senior Engineering Manager
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Why does talking about salary in dollars freeze Brazilians?
The problem is the reference point. When you convert a dollar salary to reais, any value looks huge compared to the local market, and that leads you to anchor low. But the foreign company pays according to its market, not your country’s exchange rate.
Thinking in reais for an international role is like asking for a discount before you know the price. The right number is the market rate for the job, for your role and seniority—not what looks large when converted to reais.
How to find the job range before giving a number?
You don’t need to guess. Before the salary conversation, gather references so you speak from data, not a guess.
- Research public ranges for the role and level in the target market: Levels.fyi and Glassdoor for dollar ranges by role and company, and a Brazilian salary survey like Código Fonte TV to calibrate the local tech market.
- Find out whether the company pays by location (location-based: adjusts salary by your country’s cost of living, so a Brazilian tends to receive less than an American for the same role) or by global market (global pay: the same amount for the role anywhere). This changes the number a lot, and it’s worth asking early in the process.
- When possible, let the company open with a number: "what range do you have budgeted for this position?".
How to answer "what are your salary expectations"?
Answering with a range, based on research and anchored to the job market, usually works better than a single number or "whatever you pay." It shows preparation and preserves room for negotiation.
Example: salary expectations response
- Based on my experience and the market for this role, I'm targeting a range of US$X to US$Y per month.
- I'm flexible depending on the full package and the scope of the position.
- Could you share the range you have budgeted for this role?
How not to underprice yourself?
The trap is mentally converting to reais and settling. Avoid this by fixing your reference in dollars and separating two things: how much the role is worth in its market and how much that represents for you in Brazil (which is a consequence).
Also know your floor in reais, but don’t present it as your ask. Asking at your floor closes off any upward negotiation space.
Checklist before stating a number
Before the salary conversation, confirm you’re speaking from a solid basis.
- Did you research the market range for the role and level in the target country?
- Will you answer with a range, not a single number or "I don't mind"?
- Is your reference in dollars, not a conversion to reais?
- Do you know your floor, but won’t ask for it?
- Did you practice the response out loud, in English?
Frequently asked questions
Should I convert the dollar salary to reais when negotiating?
Not to define your ask. The international company pays by its market; converting to reais creates a low reference point and leads to underpricing. Keep your reference in dollars, based on the role and level range in the target country.
Can I ask the company to state the salary first?
Yes, and it's often a good tactic. Asking "what range do you have budgeted for this position?" is common in international processes and avoids anchoring low. If you need to answer first, give a range based on research.
What if the company's range is lower than I expected?
Show flexibility on the total package (benefits, bonuses, growth) and genuine interest, but know your floor. Accepting far below market leads to frustration later. Sometimes it's worth negotiating scope, title, or a review in a few months.