u/Flimsy_Song5354

I just finished an interview and was asked what salary I would expect. It was with an environmental consultant. So I told the hiring manager my direct experience...that I've only worked for state environmental agencies (except for one stint as a consultant). I told them I took a pay raise to go from the agency to the consulting firm, and then a salary loss going back to the state agency. I told him I would be looking to earn a higher salary again if I went back into consulting. But I didn't provide a number because honestly I could not think of one. What advice do you all have on this? I have 10-12 years of experience.