Due-Sea4841's journey

I've been on the job hunt for a Senior Tech position this year, aiming for a salary of at least $85K. I've applied to numerous roles at large companies across various sectors like Legal, Consulting, and Tech. I've noticed that salary ranges can vary significantly, sometimes by as much as $50K. For instance, I've seen positions listed with a range from $75K to $100K, which puts the median at $87.5K. Recently, I received an offer and was informed that I was the top candidate. However, the offer was below the median salary. This has me questioning whether I should accept a salary lower than the median, especially since the company advertised a higher range. It seems counterintuitive to me that they would lowball their top choice. I'm curious if others have been in a similar situation. Did you accept a salary below the median, or did you negotiate for something higher? I believe it's important to advocate for oneself based on the value and experience I bring to the role.