First Offer Ever Script

This is your first proper offer, you have never negotiated, and a quiet voice says pushing back will make them pull the whole thing. This writes a short, polite counter-offer email that thanks them without gushing, names your number against the market rate, and keeps the tone they will respond well to. For people doing this for the very first time.

I've just received my first proper job offer and I've never negotiated salary before. The offer is {OFFER_AMOUNT} for the role of {JOB_TITLE}. Based on what I've seen online, the market rate seems to be around {MARKET_RATE}. I'm worried that if I push back they'll withdraw the offer or think badly of me.

Write me a short, polite counter-offer email that:
1. Thanks them genuinely without gushing
2. Names my counter figure clearly without apologising for it
3. Gives one brief reason grounded in market rate, not personal need
4. Keeps the door open warmly if they can't move

Also tell me: is it normal to negotiate at this stage, and what's the realistic worst case?