USD salary negotiation checklist

1.Research the market rate for the role, not just the local rateLook up what the same role pays at globally-remote companies, not just what it pays in Indonesia — that gap is exactly what you're negotiating for.

2.Know whether the number being discussed is gross or netConfirm early whether a quoted figure is before or after tax — a gross-to-net gap of 10-25% changes what actually lands in your account.

3.Understand the payment platform and its feesWise, Payoneer, and Deel each have different conversion rates and withdrawal fees — factor that into what the headline number is actually worth to you.

4.Negotiate and get the offer confirmed in USD, not converted to IDRKeeping the agreed number in USD protects you from rupiah depreciation eroding your real pay over the length of the contract.

5.Ask about the payment cycle and processing timeMonthly, bi-weekly, or on invoice — and how many days after that until it clears — affects your cash flow planning, especially in the first month.

6.Clarify who is responsible for reporting and paying taxAs a contractor paid from abroad, Indonesian tax obligations typically fall on you to report yourself — know this before you agree to a number, not after.

7.Avoid naming a number first if you can help itAsk about the budgeted range before stating your own — whoever names a number first gives up some negotiating room.

8.If asked first, anchor with a researched range, not a guessCite the market research from step 1 rather than a round number pulled from nowhere — a defensible range is harder to talk down than a guess.

9.Evaluate total compensation, not just base salaryEquipment stipends, PTO, health coverage, and a co-working allowance all have real dollar value — weigh them alongside the base number.

10.Get the final agreed number and terms in writingA verbal agreement over a call means nothing until it's in the signed contract or offer letter — confirm every negotiated term is actually written down.

11.Decide your walk-away number before the conversationKnowing the minimum you'll accept ahead of time stops you from agreeing to a lowball offer in the moment under conversational pressure.

12.Confirm exactly how and when USD converts to IDR in your handsAsk whether conversion happens on the platform, your bank, or an exchange app — the rate and timing of that final step affects what you actually receive.

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