My somewhat complete salary history as a software engineer • Hacker News Board

Re: My somewhat complete salary history as a software engineer

#91

Post by thereauaway » Wed, Oct 31, 2018, 6:50 AM UTC

Throwaway.

2010-2014 in college. Contract work for a startup, approx 50 dollars per hour.

2015 worked full time for the startup, 100k salary no stock.

2016 moved to SV for FAANG company 1, negotiated well, 220k total comp.

2017 stayed at company 1. Signing bonus was very large, so total comp dropped to 190k depsite raise.

2018 moved to FAANG company 2. Negotiated well, total comp 300k.

Roughly 45% increase per year. I think I was able to negotiate well in both my job changes because I was happy with my current job and not in need of a new one. So I was able to ask for my ideal compensation, and I was not afraid to walk away.

Re: My somewhat complete salary history as a software engineer

#92

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Oct 31, 2018, 6:51 AM UTC

awefoijwefwaof wrote: post #89

Also a white male. 2012-2016: Grad student $23k 2017: Data scientist $110k (very low COL) 2018: Data scientist $250k (very high COL) Weirdly enough, I only save slightly more after all expenses at my new job than I did at my previous job because of tax and COL differences.

[deleted]

Re: My somewhat complete salary history as a software engineer

#93

Post by chx » Wed, Oct 31, 2018, 6:53 AM UTC

coding123 wrote: post #19

What kind of work is being performed by those at the 200k level? machine learning or just like react, etc?

I summarize my extra value succintly: I have already made the mistake you are about to make.

Re: My somewhat complete salary history as a software engineer

#94

Post by jammygit » Wed, Oct 31, 2018, 6:54 AM UTC

adasdf_throw wrote: post #58

Straight out of college (all Bay Area companies): 2015: Software Engineer (Company A) 120k + 10k signing bonus + worthless options 2016: Senior Software Engineer (Startup B) 145k + worthless options 2016: Software Engineer (Startup C) 145k + worthless options 2017: Software Engineer (Startup C) 150k + worthless options 2018: Software Engineer (Company D) 150k + 20k signing bonus + 230k RSUs/4 years + 10% performance…

Senior software engineer after one year?

Re: My somewhat complete salary history as a software engineer

#95

Post by iykwimthrowaway » Wed, Oct 31, 2018, 6:54 AM UTC

more data

  1990 - 7.50/hr software testing @ bigco1
  1992 - $24/hr software testing @ bigco1
  1994 - $40/hr developer @ bigco1
  1996 - $54k developer @ bigco1
  1997 - $58k developer @ bigco2, options-heavy comp (worth ~$400k over 9 years)
  2006 - $120k developer @ startup1, options-heavy (worthless)
  2008 - $120k developer @ startup2, options-heavy (worthless)
  2016 - $290k developer @ bigco3
  2017 - $360k developer @ bigco3
  2018 - $405k developer @ bigco3

verdict: bigco

second verdict: perusing the timelines, I am old AF

Re: My somewhat complete salary history as a software engineer

#96

Post by zdgsg » Wed, Oct 31, 2018, 6:55 AM UTC

White male, born early 90's. Raised, live, and work in Silicon Valley.

2013: intern at tiny startup A, $12/hr, no benefits. Paid for my own gas/food

2014: software eng intern at large corp A. $28/hr

2015: software eng intern at startup B. $40/hr

2016: software developer at corp C, $105k base, $20k signing, future equity (noted below)

2017 - entry software engineer at corp C. $115k base, $25k bonus, $70k equity (for 2016 and 2017). Total comp about $205k-ish

2018.a - entry software engineer at corp C. $125k base, $27k bonus, $80k equity. Total comp around $235k

2018.b - mid year promotion to software engineer (non-entry level). $141k base, likely equity bump. Total comp for 2018 projects to be about $240k.

Current corp doesn't negotiate, but has very solid equity.

Re: My somewhat complete salary history as a software engineer

#97

Post by zdgsg » Wed, Oct 31, 2018, 6:56 AM UTC

iykwimthrowaway wrote: post #95

more data 1990 - 7.50/hr software testing @ bigco1 1992 - $24/hr software testing @ bigco1 1994 - $40/hr developer @ bigco1 1996 - $54k developer @ bigco1 1997 - $58k developer @ bigco2, options-heavy comp (worth ~$400k over 9 years) 2006 - $120k developer @ startup1, options-heavy (worthless) 2008 - $120k developer @ startup2, options-heavy (worthless) 2016 - $290k developer @ bigco3 2017 - $360k developer @ bigco3…

Whoa. What position for bigco3?

edit: yes, I was born after you had many years of work experience :)

Re: My somewhat complete salary history as a software engineer

#98

Post by zdgsg » Wed, Oct 31, 2018, 6:57 AM UTC

thereauaway wrote: post #91

Throwaway. 2010-2014 in college. Contract work for a startup, approx 50 dollars per hour. 2015 worked full time for the startup, 100k salary no stock. 2016 moved to SV for FAANG company 1, negotiated well, 220k total comp. 2017 stayed at company 1. Signing bonus was very large, so total comp dropped to 190k depsite raise. 2018 moved to FAANG company 2. Negotiated well, total comp 300k. Roughly 45% increase per year.…

Any tips on negotiation at FANG corps?

Re: My somewhat complete salary history as a software engineer

#99

Post by trhway » Wed, Oct 31, 2018, 6:57 AM UTC

RoyTyrell wrote: post #56

freditup wrote: post #26

I'm actually surprised that as a 'Principal Architect' he was only making $208,000 a year. Considering that entry-level positions at large companies which can have cash compensation of around $150,000+, it seems he may have been 'underpaid'. Of course $208,000 is nothing to scoff at, and money is hardly the most important thing when it comes to life. Just interesting to see that a reasonably large Bay-area company wo…

Would you be able to purchase a home or condo in the Bay area with a $208k salary? If so, what could you get (size, quality, approximity to the main tech areas)?

you were able to do it in 2014 on the $208K. The 2018 equivalent of those $208K - a principal at a hot company is $450-$550 (Google's L5-L6 medians) and it does allow to buy very nice townhouse in MV/PA/SNVL or even a modest home.

Re: My somewhat complete salary history as a software engineer

#100

Post by zdgsg » Wed, Oct 31, 2018, 6:58 AM UTC

yen223 wrote: post #78

iLemming wrote: post #73

Everyone excited about SF Bay salaries - please don't forget how expensive is to live here. My rent is $3K/m (half of my net salary) and that's considered "a decent rate" for 3 bedrooms. Simple salad or a sandwich will cost you ~$15. Round-trip fare on BART - $11. So just to get to work and eat something over lunch will cost you over $600/m. If you're offered a job here with relocation - negotiate! If possible - bett…

If you earn 3 times as much, but wind up spending 3 times as much, you are still saving 3 times as much. It's almost always better to get high pay in a high CoL area, than to get low pay in a low CoL area.

Almost but not quite - at high ends of salary the marginal tax rate is 38%, so $50k->$100k doesn't necessarily make you richer, it just makes Uncle Sam happier.