Offer came in at the bottom of the posted band. How hard can I push before it gets awkward? Negotiation

Bottom of band for six years of experience usually means they levelled you conservatively, and level is more negotiable than salary. Ask the recruiter what distinguishes someone at the bottom of this band from someone in the middle, and then answer that question with your own history. That conversation is normal, it is not awkward, and it gives them something to take to a compensation partner. Asking for more money with no argument attached is the version that stalls.

Politely disagreeing with the level-not-salary advice, at least as a first move. Re-levelling usually means going back through a committee, which can take weeks and occasionally reopens things you thought were settled. If you like the team and the gap is a few thousand, ask for a signing amount to bridge it and a written review at six months. Faster, lower risk, and the compounding difference is smaller than people assume at this level.

Moved mine about nine percent within a published band with no competing offer. What did it was being specific: I listed three things in the job description that I had already owned end to end at my current place, asked for the midpoint, and said I would sign the same day at that number. Same-day certainty is worth real money to a hiring manager who has been recruiting for two months.

Do not push more than twice. First ask, then one considered follow-up if the answer is no, then accept or walk. The awkwardness people are afraid of almost never comes from asking, it comes from the third ask, which reads as not hearing them.

Check what else is in the package before you spend your one ask on base. Equity refresh policy, whether the bonus is discretionary or formulaic, and how many days the leave allowance actually is after public holidays. I took a lower base once and came out ahead because the refresh policy was unusually good, and I only found that out because I asked.