Salary expectations: how do you answer?, pharmacy technician here

I have been out of work for 21 weeks and feel pressure to accept less. There are 18 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. I also do not want to sell myself short. Does giving a range hurt?

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

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