A note on programmer salaries
stephaniehurlburt.com
A note on programmer salaries
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Re: A note on programmer salaries
#2I mean, it's pretty simple, but it took a long time to internalize: If you don't have anyone else making you an offer, then you're worth that amount.
In this case, you were worth $42k and $56k respectively. If you'd shopped around, you'd have been worth more. But you didn't, so you weren't.
That's not a bad thing, either. Security is nice, and interviews are a pain. But it really is that simple.
If you don't like your current pay, don't bother with negotiating for a raise. That's how you keep getting paid the same amount plus inflation. Go to the market.
That feeling you're talking about -- where the company rakes in millions and you're the reason why, yet you're paid table scraps -- it's because that's what you're worth. There's no greed. The company is just that valuable, and no one is making you a better offer, so that's how valuable you are.
There's not much sense in comparing notes or seeing how much everybody else is making, except as a way to incentivize you to do something about it (leave). If you like your security, then enjoy it. If you like your money, go talk to companies.
EDIT: Time to bust out one of the best comments of all time: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2439478
Turns out he was a doormat in negotiating, though his salary history was cringeworthy. It pained everyone to hear it, considering how nice of a guy he was. In all honestly, $60K was a big step up for him. [...] He spent the next day in non-stop meetings with HR, his manager and the CTO. That Friday he simply handed in his badge without a word, walked out and never came back. Until 3 months later. As a consultant. At $175/hour.
(The most-popular comment list is interesting in general: https://hn.algolia.com/?query=&sort=byPopularity&prefix&page... Too bad when the scores were hidden, the list stopped working.)
Re: A note on programmer salaries
#3Taking advice from the article to share about salary:
I have 2.5 years of software development experience but no formal education. I am paid 65k/yr but as a remote contractor, so I pay my own taxes and healthcare, which effectively makes my salary about 57k/yr. I'm considering looking for a new position. What is a reasonable salary to ask for?
Edit: I live in California and prefer to continue working remotely
Re: A note on programmer salaries
#4Taking advice from the article to share about salary: I have 2.5 years of software development experience but no formal education. I am paid 65k/yr but as a remote contractor, so I pay my own taxes and healthcare, which effectively makes my salary about 57k/yr. I'm considering looking for a new position. What is a reasonable salary to ask for? Edit: I live in California and prefer to continue working remotely
I have the same experience. How do u swing a job like that/market yourself?
Re: A note on programmer salaries
#5The thing is most of the people in the tech industry are moving towards programming and app development. Looks like the programming sector will get saturated in the next few years. The average salaries are going to take a hit as well.
Re: A note on programmer salaries
#6Taking advice from the article to share about salary: I have 2.5 years of software development experience but no formal education. I am paid 65k/yr but as a remote contractor, so I pay my own taxes and healthcare, which effectively makes my salary about 57k/yr. I'm considering looking for a new position. What is a reasonable salary to ask for? Edit: I live in California and prefer to continue working remotely
Impossible to answer without context. Location? Specialization?
Re: A note on programmer salaries
#7I felt the same way in 2007 when I was making $36k in my first job. My mind changed after I had competing offers and actually negotiated, and am making several multiples of that initial amount. Now I'm in the camp of "you get what you ask for".
Re: A note on programmer salaries
#8The thing is most of the people in the tech industry are moving towards programming and app development. Looks like the programming sector will get saturated in the next few years. The average salaries are going to take a hit as well.
An increase in the number of people attracted to programming jobs does not necessarily move the supply curve of people who are good at programming.
Re: A note on programmer salaries
#9I mean, it's pretty simple, but it took a long time to internalize: If you don't have anyone else making you an offer, then you're worth that amount. In this case, you were worth $42k and $56k respectively. If you'd shopped around, you'd have been worth more. But you didn't, so you weren't. That's not a bad thing, either. Security is nice, and interviews are a pain. But it really is that simple. If you don't like you…
>If you don't have anyone else making you an offer, then you're worth that amount.
If you have money saved you always have another offer. The biggest leverage you have as an employee is saying "no thanks" and leaving. As long as you're willing to do that you can demand whatever you want.
Re: A note on programmer salaries
#10Taking advice from the article to share about salary: I have 2.5 years of software development experience but no formal education. I am paid 65k/yr but as a remote contractor, so I pay my own taxes and healthcare, which effectively makes my salary about 57k/yr. I'm considering looking for a new position. What is a reasonable salary to ask for? Edit: I live in California and prefer to continue working remotely
Out of school, my salary history went $67k for 6 months -> $82k for 7 month -> $90k for 18 months -> $110k (present). East coast of US. I took more than 6 months off between each job, so I've had a cumulative two years' vacation since graduation. Recommended.
And if someone doesn't offer you the salary you want, say thank you but no thank you. As for convincing people, just be sure to have side projects and be sure you're able to talk in detail about anything you've worked on.