Feeling slightly "bad" about my out-of-school starting salary

[Alphathree33]

My degree is Computer Engineering.

I'll be making $55K+bonus, which works out to $60-65k depending on performance

(I'm very happy with the company and the position, though.)

I'm hearing stories (albeit third hand) of people commonly making $90-100K right out of school. Is this anyone else's experience?

 

[Descartes]

Of course some people make $100k straight out of school. Is that the norm? Absolutely not. Sounds like you got a reasonable offer.

 

[Alphathree33]

Originally posted by: Descartes
Of course some people make $100k straight out of school. Is that the norm? Absolutely not. Sounds like you got a reasonable offer.

I guess I can just relish in the fact that they're in a high tax bracket than me =)

 

[Joemonkey]

Where do you live?

100k in NYC is like 30k where I live

 

[Platypus]

I'd say you're a bit above average for out of school.. salary is one thing, benefits are the clincher that most people don't consider.

 

[krunchykrome]

Accounting major here and I start my new job at the end of the month. $42,500 base salary, and with overtime (which is almost mandatory), I'm looking at $46,000.

You have a nice starting salary, be happy with it.

My buddy just graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and I think his starting salary is high 40's or low 50's.

 

[AreaCode707]

32k out of school, almost three times that three years later.

 

[Alphathree33]

It's a major city so cost of living is high-ish.

Benefits are good... and the company pays 100% into my retirement plan as well (as opposed to 50/50)

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: Joemonkey
Where do you live?

100k in NYC is like 30k where I live

Pretty much.

 

[Ameesh]

i was hired at MS out of college with a base pay of $75K + 25K sigining bonus and 3K options at a strike price of $20, this was in 2001 after the bubble burst. I think you can do better, much beter if you attended a reputable university

 

[Alphathree33]

Originally posted by: Ameesh
i was hired at MS out of college with a base pay of $75K + 25K sigining bonus and 3K options at a strike price of $20, this was in 2001 after the bubble burst. I think you can do better, much beter if you attended a reputable university

So is Microsoft still offering those rates in 2007?

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: Alphathree33
It's a major city so cost of living is high-ish.

Benefits are good... and the company pays 100% into my retirement plan as well (as opposed to 50/50)

why don't you just tell us what city you live in?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Congratulations! I'd say you were doing pretty good. When I graduated with my first degree, allowing for inflation, I earned less than I did before returning to school.

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: Alphathree33
It's a major city so cost of living is high-ish.

Benefits are good... and the company pays 100% into my retirement plan as well (as opposed to 50/50)

Define good. How is the dental, vision, health, 401k, stock options, etc. Those are more important than your base salary.

 

[Alphathree33]

Originally posted by: Platypus

Originally posted by: Alphathree33
It's a major city so cost of living is high-ish.

Benefits are good... and the company pays 100% into my retirement plan as well (as opposed to 50/50)

Define good. How is the dental, vision, health, 401k, stock options, etc. Those are more important than your base salary.

I don't have the specific details in front of me but I recall they were competitive.

EDIT: Oh, but I do get to spend 6% of my salary on stocks each year and I can buy them at a 3-for-1 price. I remember that much. =)

 

[bobdelt]

Average american makes slightly over 40k a year.

I know people who graduated college with high gpa's making barely over $9 bucks an hour.

Quit bitching. You should be thankful. Most lawyers don't make anywhere near over 100k after graduation.

 

[FoBoT]

$55K for your first job is pretty ok

 

[Kirby]

Originally posted by: HotChic
32k out of school, almost three times that three years later.

What do you do?

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: nkgreen

Originally posted by: HotChic
32k out of school, almost three times that three years later.

What do you do?

Hires and fires people like you

I believe she's HR.

 

[BKLounger]

Originally posted by: HotChic
32k out of school, almost three times that three years later.

Amen!! Same here came out of college making 30k and now 3 years of experience later I am at a different job making 3 times that.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: nkgreen

Originally posted by: HotChic
32k out of school, almost three times that three years later.

What do you do?

Systems and process analyst type work in HR. It's a little misleading because I started in an administrative role.

 

[hjo3]

Originally posted by: Alphathree33
I guess I can just relish in the fact that they're in a high tax bracket than me =)

You don't seem to understand how that works...

 

[Alphathree33]

Originally posted by: hjo3

Originally posted by: Alphathree33
I guess I can just relish in the fact that they're in a high tax bracket than me =)

You don't seem to understand how that works...

I do understand how it works: they fork over more of their money than I do to the government.

(Yes I realize their take-home pay is still larger... it was a philosophical point =))

 

[AMCRambler]

Originally posted by: Alphathree33
My degree is Computer Engineering.

I'll be making $55K+bonus, which works out to $60-65k depending on performance

(I'm very happy with the company and the position, though.)

I'm hearing stories (albeit third hand) of people commonly making $90-100K right out of school. Is this anyone else's experience?

You got me beat! I was only pulling in $44k. Don't scoff at $55k! That's a lot of money! And when it comes to making more money or doing a job I'm happy in, I will take the job I enjoy anyday over more money and a bad one.

 

[child of wonder]

I graduated with an AAS in Network Administration end of 2005. Got my current job as a Linux Sys Admin in April of 2006 making about $42,000. Now I'm up to $52,000.

I live in the Midwest so I'm VERY pleased with my income after getting a 2 year degree.