Is my salary expectation is reasonable?

higherho

Hi Tech,

Yes they are government contractors and smart peeps. Always check the COL and the median pay for your area / those positions. 75k in the DC area is like 55k in PA. Entry level pay for those positions in the area you are at ( I used to live in Alexandria prior to moving up into the MD area) should not go below good living wage. Granted most of the contracting companies offer 65k to students right out the bat in the government contracting world (CGI, northrop, blah, blah). Plus getting higher salary is much easier when you have multiple offers!!

TechWaze wrote: »

Thanks for your response! You have friends who just graduated and are making 75k? Would this be as a contractor? It seems kind of high for a regular employee straight out of college. My current job started off as an entry-level position with the company who has the contract. My company isn't really known as a govt contracting company, they are more known for financial services, but they've had this particular contract for a lonnnng time.

So while I technically work on a contract, I am an employee. We do work with a few contractors who are making good money because they don't have the benefits...

Also, It seems like every agency or company that I speak to, strictly goes on years of experience. Therefore, I priced myself around here...

mjsinhsv

60's ish is low for DC. There seems to be a push by gov to lower contractors salarys. I am working a gov contract where whenever someone leaves, say a ENG3 , they are trying to replace that person with a ENG2 with the same skillset and experience.
Stick to your guns.
If the job is published on the internet, you can find out what their hiring salary range is by checkng the job listing on indeed.
I've turned down 2 jobs recently because they were trying to low ball me.
Don't want to work for a company that does that crap. It tells me once I start there that the raises will be minimal at best.

fuz1on

I'd say shoot for 70k-80k; 65k might be selling yourself short since you have experience, clearance and a bachelors (plus, attending grad school). You're a commodity in a very lucrative IT job market and the DC metro area is closing in on SF Bay Area salaries. I've had some conversations with gov recruiterss and even though they can't offer top-level salaries - they will try to come close and all those IT legislative bills that come into effect soon will increase salaries even more.

TechWaze

Thanks Guys!

Well, I was told today that they were impressed and they want to offer me the position. He said a recruiter will be contacting me soon to "negotiate" the offer. Since, I already told them 65k, perhaps I should hold firm on this number if they try to go below? Wouldn't it be in bad taste to ask for more now? Or should I try to negotiate more time off in lieu of that? Also, I'm not sure if this matters, but I'm not working exactly in DC. This facility is located around DC (the metro area), it's maybe 10 minutes away. It's still expensive though.

nster

That's great! I would say that staying firm at 65K would be better, but it isn't necessarily a set in stone thing, just don't go demanding for 10K-15K more than what you said before. You gave them a ballpark, not a set in stone number, and the 65K was more of the "at least" number where you would consider the offer.

It probably would be easier to negotiate benefits instead of salary in this case, but don't do it if you see little value in those benefits. You can also negotiate a salary bump for when you get your Masters and perhaps a certification if they see value there, your value will be much higher than now once you graduate and I'm not sure you'll be getting paid what you are worth in a few months time unfortunately

MTciscoguy

You should be able to negotiate some better benefits, I would not go above what you have already asked, but you might let him know you have done your research on what the positions in this pay in that area, so work it for the benefits and keep at the actual price you asked for.

TechWaze

nster wrote: »

That's great! I would say that staying firm at 65K would be better, but it isn't necessarily a set in stone thing, just don't go demanding for 10K-15K more than what you said before. You gave them a ballpark, not a set in stone number, and the 65K was more of the "at least" number where you would consider the offer.

It probably would be easier to negotiate benefits instead of salary in this case, but don't do it if you see little value in those benefits. You can also negotiate a salary bump for when you get your Masters and perhaps a certification if they see value there, your value will be much higher than now once you graduate and I'm not sure you'll be getting paid what you are worth in a few months time unfortunately

This is great advice nster, thanks. One thing I'm happy about is that I said mid 60s rather than give them an actual number. So, I may try to get as close to 70k as possible. As far as benefits, I will try for an extra week of vacation.

TechWaze

MTciscoguy wrote: »

You should be able to negotiate some better benefits, I would not go above what you have already asked, but you might let him know you have done your research on what the positions in this pay in that area, so work it for the benefits and keep at the actual price you asked for.

Thanks again, I asked for mid 60s...so thankfully, I think there is a range that I can use. Yes, I will also try to negotiate more vacation.

Xavor

Stick to 65k. That's easily competitive for the area with your background information. Get the Security+ done and you're very marketable.

That's not even taking into account you're finishing your graduate degree.

GreaterNinja

First of all a Bachelors degree in Computer Science pays $70-100k/yr. I think ~75-80k/yr is the new average for USA.
Why the hell would you take a job that pays 60-65k/yr with a Masters in Computer Science?

Even with no experience I would target $75k/yr minimum.


I know 3 people with B.S. Comp Sci that started 75k/yr in Phoenix. First job.
I know two other people with B.S. Comp Sci and CIS that started 95-105k/yr first real job. Note that these are outliers, but 65k/yr you are selling yourself short.

NetworkNewb

75k first job out of college...

Maybe it is just because the 75k is alot different here in MN than down in AZ, but sounds pretty high. Not saying its not possible but winning the lottery isn't impossible either.

nster

Contract without benefits is also quite different than a permanent job with benefits, 401K matching and whatnot

MTciscoguy

NetworkNewb wrote: »

75k first job out of college...

Maybe it is just because the 75k is alot different here in MN than down in AZ, but sounds pretty high. Not saying its not possible but winning the lottery isn't impossible either.

My Nephew came out of College with a bachelors and ended up working for the company that designs stealth drones for the military as a subscontractor for Boeing, he is 29, making $125K a year and lives in a little town where they are located with less than a population of 1000 people

GreaterNinja

average salary on indeed.com is 73k. Computer Scientist Salary | Indeed.com

I'd say its over 75k since tech is even hotter than 2014.

LionelTeo

Bear in mind while companies evaluate you, you should also evaluate the company. Weak hiring manager, weak hiring process processes or budget problem are tell tale signs of companies you should skipped. Weak hiring process or managers tells a lot of about the company culture, and budget problems also affects the company capability in acquiring new technologies that you may require in your work, it also affects the the company capability in sending you for training courses; and also affects your yearly salary raise and bonus. In the end, it will impact your resume due to lack of training, lack of having latest technologies experience and lack of competitive salary for the next job.

50+k going to 60+k isn't a lot, although do expect them to give a little lesser, it depends on your qualifications and the capabilities you are offering which the market doesn't. If you firmly believe you can contribute more, then you should stay firm on your decision in regards to your salary.

I do not recommend a direct salary comparison worldwide. Income tax and currency conversion affects the salary wages across boarders. If a country currency is stronger or income tax is higher, then the average salary for that country will be higher. If you would want to compare salary across borders, you would have to keep this factor in mind.

You should ideally be a little patient and wait for new budgets allocation after most companies financial year in April, it is best to look for job again during that period as new budgets are allocation for projects during April to July, which is more suitable for finding a job with the wages you are seeking.

NetworkNewb

GreaterNinja wrote: »

average salary on indeed.com is 73k. Computer Scientist Salary | Indeed.com

I'd say its over 75k since tech is even hotter than 2014.

That includes people who have been in the field for 20+ years. Not a very good representation. I guess it is good to note that when I just added Minneapolis to the location field it did drop to 64k where Pheonix is at 73k...

NetworkNewb

MTciscoguy wrote: »

My Nephew came out of College with a bachelors and ended up working for the company that designs stealth drones for the military as a subscontractor for Boeing, he is 29, making $125K a year and lives in a little town where they are located with less than a population of 1000 people

I'm putting that into "won the lottery" group. Can't imagine there too many stealth drone designer positions. Sounds like a pretty sweet job your nephew has though!!

TechWaze

Wow, can't believe this topic has sparked so much conversation! I think after really evaluating the situation, I should be closer to 70k. I do think some of you are quoting contractor positions, and this is an employee position. I believe once you add the benefits package that comes with the position, I would be around some of the salaries everyone is quoting. For example, the education reimbursement is 15k. I could use that to pay for my last two classes and pay for any certification/and or training I want.

I do appreciate all the answers and encouragement to know more about what I'm actually worth. I'm really grateful for that guys.

NetworkNewb wrote: »

That includes people who have been in the field for 20+ years. Not a very good representation. I guess it is good to note that when I just added Minneapolis to the location field it did drop to 64k where Pheonix is at 73k...

Yes, I agree. I also think some may be confused with the fact that it's a contracting company and I won't be an actual contractor but an employee of the company. Also, this particular site does not support a contract. I don't think it's realistic to expect 100k for a staff position with only three years of actual work experience. However, I could definitely see high numbers for actual contractors. I agree, when I actually finish my MS next Fall, I do think I should be making more.

TBH, I'm not sure I'm even going to take this position. It really depends on what happens during "negotiation". My work/life balance at my current job is choice right now....especially while I'm in school. Because of the flexibility I have currently, I was planning on staying until I finished school. This particular interview came out of no where...we will see! Thanks again guys! I will keep you posted.

ramrunner800

NetworkNewb wrote: »

75k first job out of college...

Maybe it is just because the 75k is alot different here in MN than down in AZ, but sounds pretty high. Not saying its not possible but winning the lottery isn't impossible either.

I started at $70k right out of college working for a contractor in DC, and I wasn't even working in tech at the time. That money doesn't go all that far there.

Deathmage

TechWaze wrote: »

Thanks Guys!

Well, I was told today that they were impressed and they want to offer me the position. He said a recruiter will be contacting me soon to "negotiate" the offer. Since, I already told them 65k, perhaps I should hold firm on this number if they try to go below? Wouldn't it be in bad taste to ask for more now? Or should I try to negotiate more time off in lieu of that? Also, I'm not sure if this matters, but I'm not working exactly in DC. This facility is located around DC (the metro area), it's maybe 10 minutes away. It's still expensive though.

shoot for living in the Arlington, VA area. My sister goes to George Washington University and she used to live 1 mile from the Pentagon and it was Ex....pen....sive! - she now lives in Arlington and it's much more affordable....

TechWaze

Well guys, they offered me low 60s. Not sure what to do...apparently this job was kind of entry level. I didn't know that when I interviewed as I got a call right out of the blue. Here is my situation, my current job is being relocated to corporate in another state by the end of 2016. I'm welcome to move there or possibly work remote (I think all this is very optimistic planning) but...I was hoping to have a new job before then as I don't want to move. I feel I'm worth a lot more then this position is offering, but should I sacrifice my salary in order to stay in state and get more training? I'm not even sure what to do as the position has a I behind it and it seems entry level and can only pay so much. Suppose they come back and say take it or leave it? Should I just wait it out and see if another opportunity presents itself? What would you guys do? Thanks.

hurricane1091

You asked mid 60s (65k) and was offered low 60s (62k?) and you make 50k something. If the work will not get you paid more in the long run then do not take it, but if it does then you should.