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Ask YC: What are starting salaries for CS grads this year?

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Re: Ask YC: What are starting salaries for CS grads this year?

#71

On this note, I have a question that I (as a new grad) don't know anything about. What are raises like? How often do they happen? How much? What does it take?

Any significant 'raise' will require you to either change jobs, or to get a new position within the current company that suddenly takes on a lot more responsibility, and even that will limit you to maybe 10%.

Get a bit of experience and start shopping around, that's how you'll know what you're worth.

Note that the real value of a salary is almost entirely dependent on your location and cost of living.

Re: Ask YC: What are starting salaries for CS grads this year?

#72

dallas 65

I think that's likely high (I'm in Dallas and have some experience in the last couple years with recruiting college people). I'd say the average is around 50k, only people with real experience getting more than that. Some companies are paying higher, but they are turning around and billing them out at a stupid high rate (EDS I'm looking at you).

I'd agree, the average is 50 but any decent grad should be able to grab 60-65

Re: Ask YC: What are starting salaries for CS grads this year?

#73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Moscow's supposed to be about as expensive to live in as the Bay Area or Manhattan from what I've read. Rents here in the Bay area are around $1400 for a 1 bedroom apartment. What are they in Moscow?

I pay around $1300 for a 1 bedroom apartment. This is a bit on the high side, but I like living in the city center, in summer it's almost European.

$30k + $1300/month rent?? Dang... Are other countries an option for you?

Re: Ask YC: What are starting salaries for CS grads this year?

#74
post #61

Wow, just wow. I live in Moscow and earn about 30K a year. 25 years old, 10 of them coding for money. Maths degree.

My guess is that after taxes, but in the US they are usually talking about salary before taxex. So basically your $30K is about $40K here.

Are you saying that $30K is like $40K after taxes? It'd be closer to $55K, I think. Taxes are insane in the US (though nothing like northern Europe).

Re: Ask YC: What are starting salaries for CS grads this year?

#76
post #47

Am I going to be screwed over because I go to Arizona State?

Not at all. Unless you went to a top school, where you went to school becomes irrelevant after a few years. Where you worked and what you did become much more important.

I would say that after a few years, even if you went to a top-flight school, no one cares. The only lasting benefit is the collection of connections that you made while you were there.

Re: Ask YC: What are starting salaries for CS grads this year?

#77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Moscow's supposed to be about as expensive to live in as the Bay Area or Manhattan from what I've read. Rents here in the Bay area are around $1400 for a 1 bedroom apartment. What are they in Moscow?

I pay around $1300 for a 1 bedroom apartment. This is a bit on the high side, but I like living in the city center, in summer it's almost European.

Sounds to me like prime motivation for a startup. If you're not getting paid much, you have more motivation to try something a little risky to improve your lot in life.

Re: Ask YC: What are starting salaries for CS grads this year?

#78

Wow, just wow. I live in Moscow and earn about 30K a year. 25 years old, 10 of them coding for money. Maths degree.

Moscow's supposed to be about as expensive to live in as the Bay Area or Manhattan from what I've read. Rents here in the Bay area are around $1400 for a 1 bedroom apartment. What are they in Moscow?

In San Francisco, 1400 dollars will barely get you a studio (in the interesting parts of the city).

Re: Ask YC: What are starting salaries for CS grads this year?

#79

Wow, just wow. I live in Moscow and earn about 30K a year. 25 years old, 10 of them coding for money. Maths degree.

Moscow's supposed to be about as expensive to live in as the Bay Area or Manhattan from what I've read. Rents here in the Bay area are around $1400 for a 1 bedroom apartment. What are they in Moscow?

Manhattan ranges - 1br in the West Village goes for $1,950/month.

Re: Ask YC: What are starting salaries for CS grads this year?

#80
post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Moscow's supposed to be about as expensive to live in as the Bay Area or Manhattan from what I've read. Rents here in the Bay area are around $1400 for a 1 bedroom apartment. What are they in Moscow?

Manhattan ranges - 1br in the West Village goes for $1,950/month.

Good article about the experience of finding apartments:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/24/garden/24new.html?n=Top/Re...

Manhattan had a very successful policy of encouraging diversity by apartment subsidies (Mitchell-Lama). Otherwise, you restrict the area to only those who can "afford" it. I heard recently about someone who sold their apartment back to their rent-subsidized apartment building. A 3br on the Upper West Side. For $12,000 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitchell-Lama

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