How do you figure out how much is okay to ask for when they bring up salary requirements? (Sorry to talk about money so bluntly but I’m confused!)

Hey guys. I have an interview on Monday and I’m anticipating they will bring up salary requirements. It’s a remote production coordinator position for an audio production company. I graduated college early in December 2015 and have steady work experience at one internship and two companies I’ve worked at, so no gaps in my resume and I even worked 7 days/week for 3 years, but I’m only 26 years old so there are probably more experienced candidates than me applying. I did my research on salaries for similar roles at similar companies and I’m even more confused!! Here’s why I’m really struggling to figure out what I should propose for my salary expectations:

1. When I checked salaries for similar roles at other companies, the range was crazy-I saw people making under $30,000/year, people making 6 figures, and everything in between. So inconsistent!
2. I’m currently making $30,000/year at my job right now since my hours were cut due to covid (I made 37k last year so it feels like a demotion, which sucks) and I’m really struggling, so I talked to my friend who is in a coordinator position, and she said when she first started, she made $40,000 and anyone in a similar role should make no less. Then I talked to my sister who is an exec producer at a media company (much higher up job than the one I’m interviewing for) and she was shocked because she makes 42k/year and couldn’t imagine that a production coordinator would have such a similar salary. Now I’m more confused!
3. I recently listened to a podcast on salary negotiation and they said you should always give them a range that is 5k higher than your desired salary because they will always try to negotiate lower. So if my desired salary range is 40k-45k I should ask for 45k-50k?? That seems like too much to ask for and I don’t feel comfortable with that tbh.

So basically my desired salary range is 40k-45k but I don’t know if I can just straight up say that, or if they’ll try and go under 40k. It’s also a relatively new company, but they are doing well and have offices all over the country so it’s not a small startup or anything. I don’t know you guys, what should I say?? Any experience/advice is helpful! Thanks!

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