Negotiating pay when I have been out of work after 15 years as an IT help-desk technician

A recruiter asked for my salary expectations on a first call as I look for work as an IT help-desk technician. I have read a lot of threads here and could not find my exact situation. I do not want to price myself out. How do you research fairly?

I gave a range based on local postings and said I was flexible depending on the whole package. They did not push back.

Check several sources for pay in St. Louis, then pick a range where the low end is one you can live with.