The interviewer wants to know about the salary from the previous role because of the following reasons -  They want to evaluate your market value  They want to ensure they are offering a fair value  Also, they want to ensure the amount aligns with your expectations.  Not all interviewers ask you about your salary history. But, if you feel uncomfortable talking about your salary, you might have the leverage to skip the question by saying - "I would prefer to learn more about the job and the responsibilities, then we can discuss my last salary." Always remember to provide them with an exact number when you are talking about your last salary. You can also say that range - from where you started and where you are now.