Salary Information - back to resources

When implementing a career move there are three key areas to consider: 1) the job, 2) the location and 3) the salary.  While the job should be the foremost consideration since that has the greatest impact on future options and opportunities, what job seekers are most interested in is their salary.

As a starting point to salary discussions, we’ve provided a link to a salary calculator for your use.

When using a salary calculator, keep in mind that it will provide some general guidance only.  Things like “Cost of Living (COL)” are considered by companies but not on a one to one basis, like the salary calculators would lead you to believe.  That means that someone moving from a very low cost area, like Birmingham AL, to a very high cost area, like San Fran Bay Area, CA, will not likely receive the 500% salary increase that a calculator might suggest. Similarly, while certainly taking a pay cut, someone moving from a very high to a low COL area will not take the huge hit promised by the salary calculators. To illustrate: Someone who graduates from UC Berkley, and  is working in a high cost of living area like San Francisco or Los Angeles,  will not be paid significantly higher than a Georgia Tech grad with comparable education and experience who works in the deep south. 

Remember this!  Companies pay employees based on skills and years of experience since their last degree while ensuring that the prospective employee will fit into the company’s salary structure. While there may be some latitude with certain positions, a company is not likely to discard their entire structure and risk alienating employees who have been doing a good job for years to accommodate a new employee.  Job hunters distress over this. But ask yourself this question. How would you feel if you were an employee and your company consistently brought in people with similar backgrounds at higher salaries?

The key to your next salary will depend largely on how well your skill set matches the current market conditions and the requirements for the job for which you’re applying;  how well you interview; and how well you’re represented.