Negotiating pay when I have been out of work after 18 years as an HR coordinator

A recruiter asked for my salary expectations on a first call as I look for work as an HR coordinator. I do not want to price myself out. Does giving a range hurt?

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

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it last year, and it got easier once I kept a simple log of every call and form.