I'm currently on an annual average of 16 months salary (including VB + AWS). My new job offer (a contract position) does not pay any VB, so I asked for a 25% annual package increment.

The recruiter computed the new monthly salary using the formula (16 months + 25% increment) / 12, and told me this will result in a 50% monthly salary increment, which is way off the market rate. He advised me to accept a lower amount.

Is he trying to ******** me? Or my expected package is really off the mark?