Full-Time Salary Offer Check (rent, college, calculator)

[thursday67]

Sorry if these posts are annoying, but getting an insider's view from people who actually live in the area is super helpful. I'm graduating in April and was wondering if this is a good offer for a NON-engineering position. I studied a tech-related field, and the position is for a tech consultant. I currently live in a very low COL state, so its hard for me to make accurate comparisons.

I have an offer for a tech company in the bay area. These are the details:

base— 80k
Signing— 5k
Relocation— 5k
10% annual bonus~ 8k
RSUs (Vesting period is 25%/year over 4 years)— 18k
-6 months of free rent in East Bay (corporate housing)


I know the base is quite a bit lower than most tech companies, but its important to remember that I am not an engineer and the other perks seem quite good (especially the free rent). Is this a good offer for a recent tech-oriented graduate?Also, Im single, prefer roommates, and after the 6 months of free rent, I practically can move anywhere that is close to a BART station because the work office location is located next to one.


Thanks for your help/thoughts in advance!

[jade408]

So you are just graduating from college and have limited experience in the workforce. And don't think you are making enough money. Even though you are getting paid ~the median wage for all workers in the median.

[thursday67]

Originally Posted by jade408

So you are just graduating from college and have limited experience in the workforce. And don't think you are making enough money. Even though you are getting paid ~the median wage for all workers in the median.

Sorry if it came off that way-- that's not how I meant it. It has nothing to do with whether or not i'm getting paid enough for my experience, but rather If I should forgo starting a career in the bay area due to the high CoL. It's been hard to accurately predict the median wage in respect to the high CoL in the bay area. I've used various CoL calculators, but they all seem to vary as well as its hard to factor benefits into those calculators.

[Chuck5000]

The RSU situation - really we can't evaluate that part of the package unless we knew more about the company, which you can't do publicly. It's common for companies to sell young employees on this idea that their stock will be absolute gold, as good as money in the bank. Depending on the company, that can be a mirage (in fact that is by far the most likely scenario), and of course they can use this to offer lower actual compensation.

Aside from equity situation, generally looks like good enough pay for a non-technical NCG for the bay area. Note that you will not feel rich at all, and you will probably need (not just want) a roommate or 2 unless you want to spend all your money.

[MountainHi]

Originally Posted by thursday67

Sorry if these posts are annoying, but getting an insider's view from people who actually live in the area is super helpful. I'm graduating in April and was wondering if this is a good offer for a NON-engineering position. I studied a tech-related field, and the position is for a tech consultant. I currently live in a very low COL state, so its hard for me to make accurate comparisons.

I have an offer for a tech company in the bay area. These are the details:

base— 80k
Signing— 5k
Relocation— 5k
10% annual bonus~ 8k
RSUs (Vesting period is 25%/year over 4 years)— 18k
-6 months of free rent in East Bay (corporate housing)


I know the base is quite a bit lower than most tech companies, but its important to remember that I am not an engineer and the other perks seem quite good (especially the free rent). Is this a good offer for a recent tech-oriented graduate?Also, Im single, prefer roommates, and after the 6 months of free rent, I practically can move anywhere that is close to a BART station because the work office location is located next to one.


Thanks for your help/thoughts in advance!

You're off to an amazing start! Where's your job location, exactly? You can live in the East Bay and commute to wherever. After a couple of annual raises, you could even live near your job, if you want to spend that money. I wouldn't--I'd live where rents are a little cheaper, to have money to save for the future.

[bmw335xi]

It's a good offer, take it

[Ruth4Truth]

Why would you turn down an offer like that, right out of college? Congratulations! That is definitely a living wage in the Bay Area, and an offer that shouldn't be refused, in view of the regular raises. Welcome to the Bay!

Oh, and as previously mentioned, your salary will go farther if you can rent in the East Bay. Hopefully your job isn't located on the SF peninsula, or if it is, they offer shuttle service for commuting...?

[TheCityTheBridge]

Originally Posted by thursday67

Sorry if these posts are annoying, but getting an insider's view from people who actually live in the area is super helpful. I'm graduating in April and was wondering if this is a good offer for a NON-engineering position. I studied a tech-related field, and the position is for a tech consultant. I currently live in a very low COL state, so its hard for me to make accurate comparisons.

I have an offer for a tech company in the bay area. These are the details:

base— 80k
Signing— 5k
Relocation— 5k
10% annual bonus~ 8k
RSUs (Vesting period is 25%/year over 4 years)— 18k
-6 months of free rent in East Bay (corporate housing)

I know the base is quite a bit lower than most tech companies, but its important to remember that I am not an engineer and the other perks seem quite good (especially the free rent). Is this a good offer for a recent tech-oriented graduate?Also, Im single, prefer roommates, and after the 6 months of free rent, I practically can move anywhere that is close to a BART station because the work office location is located next to one.

Thanks for your help/thoughts in advance!

Short answer: comp looks fine for someone at the beginning of their career. When you leave the corporate housing, you won't be moving into your dream home, but you should be fine. It's likely that you would have a higher standard of living elsewhere, but better career opportunities here.

See below on equity.

Originally Posted by Chuck5000

The RSU situation - really we can't evaluate that part of the package unless we knew more about the company, which you can't do publicly. It's common for companies to sell young employees on this idea that their stock will be absolute gold, as good as money in the bank. Depending on the company, that can be a mirage (in fact that is by far the most likely scenario), and of course they can use this to offer lower actual compensation.

Aside from equity situation, generally looks like good enough pay for a non-technical NCG for the bay area. Note that you will not feel rich at all, and you will probably need (not just want) a roommate or 2 unless you want to spend all your money.

Agreed. Most important question is this: is the company's stock publicly traded? If yes, consider the equity a cash bonus (understanding that it may not be worth 18k when it vests, but can be converted to US currency at the prevailing market price).

If the company is not publicly traded, then the equity is probably of nil value. And if it becomes of real value, you will be in need of tax advice. If these are RSUs, then I'm assuming the company is actually publicly traded, as most startup equity is in options. Keep in mind that you will pay income tax on RSUs.

[plot]

Your giving very little information for us to determine weather your employer is giving a competitive salary or not.

[simboticus]

I think it's a really good offer. My kid recent graduated college, I'd be thrilled if she got an offer like that.