Senior .NET demand in Silicon Valley

[MediocreButArrogant]

Originally Posted by Jhunter6

I figured we would need way more than $160,000, but $420,000 seems over the top. I am originally from Northern Virginia and am no stranger to a high cost of living, but what other people consider "necessities," I do not. And what many overlook in NC for the big house and yard, leaves me wanting to find a new living environment.

That was for Palo Alto, where you can expect to pay a minimum of $1000 sq/ft for a SFH. If you can handle the commute you can still find something decent (I think, haven't really looked lately) for closer to $500 sq/ft farther south (San Jose, Campbell)

[Fiona8484]

Originally Posted by wsugrad03

Glassdoor and pay scale will give you the closest estimates of what is paid around here, but is about a year or two behind the current averages. I would say a senior software engineer is 140-150k. Anything less than 50k RSU's is a no-go. Lot's of competition here, and the state income taxes alone wipe out 10% off the top. The housing is simply INSANE. No sugar coating it. So unless, you're working with a big company and there's a strong chance of breaking principle and partner level in the next 5 years, I would say there is no reason to come here. Competitive as hell. Work like hell. Salaries don't come close to making it economically worthwhile. Move here because you want to live here and you love CA sunshine and environment. That's why we left Seattle to come here. Financially, we're totally backward from our comfortable life in Seattle. But the weather helps improve our quality of life believe it or not.

When you say $50k RSU do you mean each year or that money broken up over the course of a few years?

[wsugrad03]

Originally Posted by NYinCA2014

When you say $50k RSU do you mean each year or that money broken up over the course of a few years?

The latter. Anything less than a 50k RSU hiring award for a senior level just seems cheap to me. I would prefer to have it vest over 2 years (3 years tops). Most people move around every 2-3 years here, so you want to get the money you worked hard for as quickly as you can in case you want to take another offer elsewhere.

My guess is many recruiters hiring from the mid west or east coast will try and lowball you because whatever they cough up with sounds like a lot for your locale, but it doesn't buy much here. Most folks that buy homes in the valley are dual income engineers that saved their pennies for years and whose stock has been kind to them.