Negotiating pay when I have been out of work (update)

A recruiter asked for my salary expectations on a first call as I look for work as a nurse's aide. I worked as a nurse's aide before this. I looked up ranges in Albuquerque and they vary a lot. What did you say?

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

Asking about the range for the role first worked for me. Some recruiters share it.