This question aims to evaluate your self-perception contrasted against your interview performance. Be honest with yourself about your professional worth. If you left your job before finding another, it could lower your potential professional worth. Use your current earnings as a starting point. Considering that remote work is a viable option in today's market, commuter costs should come into play here. If the commute is longer, or you need to purchase a vehicle for the job, calculate the cost of the vehicle (payments of both principal and interest), gas, repairs and maintenance, and insurance. Create an annual cost, and figure that into your equation.

Consider any benefits you receive from your current employer (or what is advertised from competing offers), which lower your cost of living and can be equated to income. That should also include how frequently pay raises occur. Write down that number underneath your potential salary range. Now it is fair game to find out what they are offering. Determine where they're meeting, exceeding, or wanting, and adjust your number accordingly. Be open, realistic, and honest. The better your interview performance is, the stronger your bargaining position will be. So practice, practice, practice.