$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
Dont work out on low wage offers. They are companies, and in a salary negotiation situtation your boss is always trying to screw you no matter how nice a guy he is. It is his job. If you get a too low offer, tell them what you expect, and why you expect that. If they say stuff like, it is a "standard contract", everybody makes the same here. Tell them they are lieing and there is no such thing as a standard contract. In business world you have to know, everthing is up for negotiation.
...especially because of the proliferation of fair employment bills and the like. Canada actually tried to implement a Universal Classification System across ALL government position in the entire frickin' country.
Of course, after $1 billion or so, it failed. But in the meantime they did standardize a hell of a lot of salaries. You can negotiate what level you start at based on your experience, and occasionly get a double increment if you have a good year, but otherwise the increments are standardized.
FYI, in Soviet Russia there were about 16 or so levels that are still used today in government and state-owned organisations. The system is called "Unified Tariff Scale". It might not be the most efficient system, but it works.
I don't know a good rate... (Score:5, Funny)
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There _are_ standards... (Score:3, Insightful)
Of course, after $1 billion or so, it failed. But in the meantime they did standardize a hell of a lot of salaries. You can negotiate what level you start at based on your experience, and occasionly get a double increment if you have a good year, but otherwise the increments are standardized.
Re:There _are_ standards... (Score:3, Informative)
Re:There _are_ standards... (Score:2, Funny)
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