But what about everybody who isn't a programmer? (Houston, San Antonio: how much, income)

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by balor123

Where'd you get this one from? Even in the late 90s, chip designers only made what software engineers make today (if even). A good data scientist can make $250k here, chip designers half that (if employed).
.

Well, I suppose it would be better to say "in the chip design industry" and people who own their patents. And yes, the employment angle is key but I know several who have stayed employed over the decades and are doing well. And several who have gone through rapid changes and several start ups etc but who have made if through just fine and put coin in the bank.

I agree with the larger point though, you have to have capital working for you. I have seen many do very well in industries like fast food/fast casual dining and self storage!

[scm53]

Originally Posted by winkosmosis

No, I posted asking why I can't get a job in Austin. I've stopped applying to jobs, because the pay is just too low now.

When I moved here in '84, I was astonished by the number of people that were self employed. What most of them had in common was they came here to go to UT, couldn't get a state or IRS job, but weren't going back to Muleshoe or Colmesneil. They made it work.

The simple, but harsh answer is, you don't want to live here bad enough. And moaning about it won't make it so.

[A-Tex]

It's supply and demand. Your education, skills, and/or background need to match the demand of an area. If they don't, you can either obtain skills that are in demand, be willing to live on a lot less, or live in a place where your skills are in demand and pay well. Everyone must learn, grow and change to stay marketable.

[verybadgnome]

First of all some of those temp jobs last 2 years, which is pretty good in my book considering a normal position could be cut in that time. Secondly, a lot of "programmers" really can't write code they way you think they can. Many of them cannot, given an objective, write anything from scratch. The copy, paste, edit and debug approach will get you so far.

Do you have a list of state agencies that use GIS? There are the big ones but also GLO, RR commission, Economic Development, etc. Also every city with more than 15k population will probably have at least one GIS person. And don't forget the CADs.......And also the big engineering firms like Atkins.

In the meantime here is a listing:

https://sites.google.com/a/austincc....oconsultinginc

While looking for a job it might be good to volunteer at a state agency and/or take GIS classes at ACC or TNRIS.

[winkosmosis]

Originally Posted by verybadgnome

First of all some of those temp jobs last 2 years, which is pretty good in my book considering a normal position could be cut in that time. Secondly, a lot of "programmers" really can't write code they way you think they can. Many of them cannot, given an objective, write anything from scratch. The copy, paste, edit and debug approach will get you so far.

Do you have a list of state agencies that use GIS? There are the big ones but also GLO, RR commission, Economic Development, etc. Also every city with more than 15k population will probably have at least one GIS person. And don't forget the CADs.......And also the big engineering firms like Atkins.

In the meantime here is a listing:

https://sites.google.com/a/austincc....oconsultinginc

While looking for a job it might be good to volunteer at a state agency and/or take GIS classes at ACC or TNRIS.

I emailed Bastrop about their temporary job and they said it's grant funded for 2-3 years. That's not as bad as a 6 month position... But it only pays $17/hr.

Unfortunately all these low paid jobs will find many applicants

[car957]

Not to be obtuse or insensitive but I am sensing a great deal of entitlement and whining. Suck it up buttercup and leave the drama for your mother. You have a education - use it.

[verybadgnome]

Originally Posted by winkosmosis

I emailed Bastrop about their temporary job and they said it's grant funded for 2-3 years. That's not as bad as a 6 month position... But it only pays $17/hr.

Unfortunately all these low paid jobs will find many applicants

Adjusted for inflation my first GIS job was about the same. Also try these:

Red's Porch, Where GIS Users Meet! - Austin GIS User Group (Austin, TX) - Meetup
Index

[winkosmosis]

Originally Posted by car957

Not to be obtuse or insensitive but I am sensing a great deal of entitlement and whining. Suck it up buttercup and leave the drama for your mother. You have a education - use it.

Excuse me for whining that jobs in my field and many others don't even pay a living wage, simply because the job description isn't "software engineer".

Employers in Austin expect people to use their educations for $12/hr to do technical jobs for them, less than they'd make at Starbucks. Do you know how much skill and design knowledge it takes to make good maps? A lot more than $12 worth

[Shredding_Gnar78]

"OH HEY GUYZ IM MOVING TO AUSTIN
yay live music and all that stuff i read about!
OH DANG I CANT FIND A JOB
OH DANG I CANT FIND AN APARTMENT
OH DANG ITS HOT
OH DANG ITS EXPENSIVE
DAAANG THIS TRAFFIC IS WORST THAN ANYWHERE I'VE EVER SEEN
DANG... I SHOULDN'T HAVE MOVED HERE"

X 1,000,000 ppl

[winkosmosis]

Originally Posted by Shredding_Gnar78

"OH HEY GUYZ IM MOVING TO AUSTIN
yay live music and all that stuff i read about!
OH DANG I CANT FIND A JOB
OH DANG I CANT FIND AN APARTMENT
OH DANG ITS HOT
OH DANG ITS EXPENSIVE
DAAANG THIS TRAFFIC IS WORST THAN ANYWHERE I'VE EVER SEEN
DANG... I SHOULDN'T HAVE MOVED HERE"

X 1,000,000 ppl

Seems to me like the transplants are mainly programmers and the like, and they're doing very well.