Salary expectations: how do you answer? - what worked for you?

A recruiter asked for my salary expectations on a first call as I look for work as a medical assistant. I also do not want to sell myself short. How do you research fairly?

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.