[jstx1]

> pay is still higher than current, but not that much and is a lot lower than what I wanted

Don't join on these terms, from the first day you'll be resenting the company and thinking about how to move somewhere else or how to get a promotion. It's a bad position to start the relationship for both sides (which is also why companies shouldn't aggressively low-ball offers).

[positionPanic]

Pay from offer is ok, but the range for which I actually interviewed was great, which is why it's a letdown for me.

I am a bit angry currently, will sleep on it before answering the offer.

[tmaly]

Why not renegotiate? There is really no downside and only upside here if you have an existing job.

[twobitshifter]

you can always negotiate for more, company won’t start your offer at their limit.

[positionPanic]

They said they have limits for positions, guessing this is the one for mids, as I requested a (known) senior range. (This one is close to the starting senior one)