How To Become A Negotiator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a negotiator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Negotiators use their power of persuasion to generate favorable business for their employer. They negotiate sales, business partnerships, and contracts. Being a negotiator requires excellent public speaking skills, but the job is not as easy as just getting up in front of a group and talking about how great their company is.

Negotiators prepare extensively for a discussion by performing market research and analysis in order to draft a sales pitch that explains perfectly why their business is the best choice. Negotiators also handle the administrative aspect of sales, such as reviewing contracts and ensuring compliance with export laws. Throughout the process, they maintain clear communication with the rest of the sales team, including upper management.

Negotiators bring in a lot of profit for their company, so their work is valued very much. In fact, they earn an average salary of $122,221 annually.

Negotiators need to put in a lot of work before they can reach this position. Most have several years of professional experience in customer service or sales. Most also have a bachelor's degree, although it is possible to succeed in this field with only a high school diploma.

ScoreNegotiatorUS Average

Salary

5.0

Avg. Salary $63,632

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.4

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.43%

Asian 8.83%

Black or African American 6.36%

Hispanic or Latino 9.39%

Unknown 4.56%

White 70.43%

Gender

female 52.62%

male 47.38%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

6.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

2.5

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a negotiator

Explore negotiator education requirements

Most common negotiator degrees

Bachelor's

63.9 %

Associate

14.0 %

High School Diploma

7.6 %

Start to develop specific negotiator skills

Skills	Percentages
Financial Statements	10.83%
PowerPoint	9.63%
Nielsen	7.00%
Loan Modifications	6.55%
Foreclosure	6.28%

Research negotiator duties and responsibilities

Manage the sales per FHLMC guidelines to ensure the integrity of each sale.
Identify and select Medicaid manage care providers for contracting opportunities.
Manage expectations of DCMA / DCAA regulators and when necessary defend evaluated/negotiated positions.
Provide assistance with escrow questions pertaining to taxes and insurance.

Prepare your negotiator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your negotiator resume.

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