$20/hour can mean a lot of different things. If it is a unionized government job with benefits in a low cost of living area-it wouldn't be too bad. I can easily see how that wouldn't go far in New York City or Silicon Valley-even for a single guy.
The national average for all "white-collar/technical" professions is $27.15/hour ($56k). However, in most metro areas, it is around $30 ($62k). Out of college, you should expect about 15% less than average or between $48k and $52k with some prior experience--although many, many people will be more than happy to offer you $26.5k. The point is, you should be able to hit the mean within three years. Don't let ANYONE tell you otherwise. If you are offered less than 15% below the aggregate mean (that is, everyon
you can use online to get a good gage of what your pay would be given your skills. Get online and look at the offered salaries for your area in your field. Look at your ideal job, then at the ones your actually qualified for.
Keep your eye on the ball is more important than the actual pay. Figure out what experience you need for the $80k job and go after it. When your starting out you can take "subaverage" pay only if it compliments your experience.
Also feel out the employers for what they REALLY want you to do. That's a better indication of pay expectations. Often if the pay expectation is too low then the employers expectation are also too low and you won't be happy. The school thing sounds like a good measure...after all you paid a lot of money to be part of [unoffically] the club. somewhere out there is somebody looking for your social and economic experience...often moreso than than your "paper" schooling...they're looking for somebody to fit their work culture. If the pay is drastically too low...and you've already done your homework for what is fair they keep moving..you won't get what you REALLY want.
remember too, that typically you won't be at a first job very long, 5 years max. Most important is to show you gained responsibility and experiences other people want for the NEXT job...if you find your not getting it GET OUT SOON! Otherwise you've wasted your best earning years being somebody's body and not having a career...and future employeers will look at you like a schmuck!
I don't know a good rate... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I don't know a good rate... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:I don't know a good rate... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:I don't know a good rate... (Score:5, Informative)
get online (Score:2)
Keep your eye on the ball is more important than the actual pay. Figure out what experience you need for the $80k job and go after it. When your starting out you can take "subaverage" pay only if it compliments your experience.
Also feel out the employers for what they REALLY want you to do. That's a better indication of pay expectations. Often if the pay expectation is too low then the employers expectation are also too low and you won't be happy. The school thing sounds like a good measure...after all you paid a lot of money to be part of [unoffically] the club. somewhere out there is somebody looking for your social and economic experience...often moreso than than your "paper" schooling...they're looking for somebody to fit their work culture. If the pay is drastically too low...and you've already done your homework for what is fair they keep moving..you won't get what you REALLY want.
remember too, that typically you won't be at a first job very long, 5 years max. Most important is to show you gained responsibility and experiences other people want for the NEXT job...if you find your not getting it GET OUT SOON! Otherwise you've wasted your best earning years being somebody's body and not having a career...and future employeers will look at you like a schmuck!