<prompt> Human: While Im really happy in my current role, I recently felt like I was underpaid by maybe 5-1037;. But I wasnt sure, so I did some market research which confirmed I was slightly below market. Meanwhile, I updated my LinkedIn and started networking with recruiters to get ready for my next role down the road. My hope was that I could learn more about market rate for my role and the next role I might take.Within 24 hours of all this last week, two different recruiters reached out to me. When they asked for salary range, I quoted the market research that I found. Turns out it was spot on and these recruiters are submitting me to jobs that pay between 2037; and 3037; more than what I currently bring in. I was not expecting that, at all. In fact, assuming I get an interview, I intend to go through the process for one of the jobs because it seems pretty cool.Im pretty happy at my current job, but thats a huge raise. The thing is, I have no experience countering a current company and Ive only ever attempted a salary discussion post-hire one time.I know the general rule is never attempt to counter your current role unless you have an offer in hand for a job youre willing to take. But what about approaching my bossHR once I actually get an offer with something like Hey, Im really happy here, but I was approached by other companies. One of them made an offer. While I really like it here and dont want to leave, the offer is for a lot of money. Is there something we can work out?I concede that I am still towards the beginning of my career 5 yearsish experience and am very ignorant in the ways of salary negotiation. Any tips and advice are much appreciated.Edit: fixed typos and cleaned up some wording  <response>: Just leave. The countering game is an old school mentality. You already know what the new company wants from you. Your current company does not think enough of you to give you enough money each year to compensate for rising inflation, which means you lose money each year you dont receive a raise. They are going to be pretty spiteful to have to beat those offers to retain you and if you think they are shelling out more money for the same production, you are fooling yourself. In all likely hood, they wont be able to even match your new offers. Employers have a a way of pretending that your property taxes never go up, or your rent never goes up, or that the price of clothing, milk, food, or anything else you consume never goes up when in reality it is always going up. If your salary is not moving with it, and you are not a profit sharing employee, then you are doing your family a disservice. This means your spouse needs to work harder to make up the difference or the family needs to accept less wants and needs year after year if they choose to remain in this position. For context, the advice I am giving pertains mostly to the IT sysadmin and networking fields. 