Currently underpaid, 1.8 YOE in DC area. What to say for TC when recruiter asks?
I’m making 81k as a Software dev in Virginia with 1.8 YOE. I’ve been saying I’m looking for 95k TC whenever a recruiter asks me, but they don’t seem to have an issue with that number. Glassdoor says the average is 94k in the area. Am I asking for too little?
We get like 110k in DC for that YOE
Get out of DC. You're not valued there and never will be. As a software engineer, quant, Mathematician etc. you will never be as highly valued than in 5-6 cities/areas. 1. The Bay area 2. NYC 3. Seattle-Boston tie 4. Austin, TX 5. Chicago That's it.
Is this true for companies that have both DC and NY/those city locations? Should I be applying to the positions in the non-dc areas?
Yes. Region is certainly a major factor.
You must be working for a gov contractor (Raytheon, Northrop, BAE, etc).... they all pay low no matter the region...
Yes. Rule 1: Don't give your current comp, instead give a rough expectation. Rule 2: Dont give a number, instead say you are flexible within a wide range. In your case I would say something like 90-150k or even more.
Even ranges are not ideal, you say 90-150 they just hear 90. Try to not give an expected number, say you’d prefer to make a decision after you’ve had more time to get to know the company
Just say "I would like to see an offer around 150k but I am open to discussion, depending on the suitability of the role". If you go to them with 90-150 you will get 95.