An alternate version: "Unfortunately, like many other aspects of my employment, my compensation is covered under NDA with my previous employer. I take my promi

An alternate version: "Unfortunately, like many other aspects of my employment, my compensation is covered under NDA with my previous employer. I take my promise not to disclose very seriously." If you did sign an NDA, in all likelihood you cannot disclose your salary without violating the terms. Or, you could just be direct, like I was the last time I did interviews: "How much do you earn at your current position?" "The salary of an academic at a public institution, and I expect to be paid more if I work for your company."