Tech salary < $100k in midwest , having FOMO?

Keybank
lolol12345

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lolol12345
Dec 28, 2020 34 Comments

hey blinders

Every time I scroll through any salary data here , pretty much no TC is less than $200k ( I understand skewed observation in east & west coast ) also net worth >0.5M in their 20s. I am not even close to those numbers by living in Midwest region.

That being said, I still manage to live a good life style with maxing out 401k and saving / investing ~35% of my take home pay... however I still can't get my head around these large TCs and comparing those with mine ( i know, it's not right compare but ... we all do in one way or another)

Am i missing out by not moving to coast? how much % do you guys manage to save / invest from your gross / take home pay living in SF/NYC/SEA areas? also can you add TC ?

TC $90K

#tech #salaries #salary #salarycomparison

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TOP 34 Comments
  • Dude, LC HARD. That's what I'm doing. All your other $ concerns will be solved afterwards.
    Dec 28, 2020 3
  • Walmart
    Crash&Burn

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    Crash&Burn
    Can’t really say. I have 250k in Midwest
    Dec 28, 2020 4
    • Walmart
      Crash&Burn

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      Crash&Burn
      It’s not flex. Just mentioning there is possibility of getting nice TC without having to move to Bay Area.

      OP - MS with 5 YOE. DM for more details
      Dec 28, 2020
    • Kenna Security
      SREMELE¡

      Kenna Security

      SREMELE¡
      Just to add another data point:

      I'm ~$280k in the Midwest @ ~5 YOE with just a BS in a STEM field.

      The Midwest is a big region, so opportunities might be harder to come by in some of the smaller cities, but if you're in/around Chicago, you should be able to find jobs that are reasonably competitive with the coasts. Granted, it's not like the coasts in the sense that you won't trip and fall into a FAANG-type offer, but if you put some work into finding the good companies that will pay well, you can definitely make it work.
      Dec 28, 2020
  • New
    QR™️

    New

    QR™️
    Bay Area here. I invest 60% of my base salary straight into VTSAX (index funds).

    At the end of the year, RSUs and bonus go 100% into savings/investments.
    Dec 28, 2020 2
  • Apple
    GdBp18

    Go to company page Apple

    GdBp18
    OP, yes and no you are missing out. I just moved to the bay one year ago. Ironically while I am earning more than I ever have in my life, I’m also living the worst lifestyle I ever have in my life.

    Do what all of us transplants are planning - come here, grind out 10 years, then live like a prince anywhere else in the country - world even.
    Dec 28, 2020 2
    • Keybank
      lolol12345

      Go to company page Keybank

      lolol12345
      OP
      Thanks, this is a same stuff i am hearing from my buds...where i live $1200 gives you a nice rental 1BR condo closer to workplace and no need to spend $$ on car related stuff( yeah i don't own one )

      but you don't get a decent place for $3k for an hour commute in SF ... that scares the $hit out of me
      Dec 28, 2020
    • Google
      1milTC

      Go to company page Google

      1milTC
      You definitely can rent a nice 1bed apartment for under $3k in SF lol
      Dec 29, 2020
  • No, not necessarily.
    I moved from the Midwest to the coast for more opportunity. If you take into account COLA and inflation, I make about 2% more than I did at my first job. I was more respected at my first job than I am now, and my rent is just 3x at this point. I wouldn’t move back because there was nothing to do where I lived but I wouldn’t say moving to a coast is a solution.
    Dec 28, 2020 2
    • Keybank
      lolol12345

      Go to company page Keybank

      lolol12345
      OP
      Yeah , i can understand.

      i just mentioned about how i can get nice 1BR condo in downtown for $1200 and save on commute and car related expenses ...how's your WLB ?
      Dec 28, 2020
    • Well pre-pandemic it wasn’t awful. We don’t own a car, and both my wife and myself could walk to work, hence the high rent cost. Now we both sit at home and wonder why our rent cost is so high.
      Before the pandemic I was doing a normal 40 hour week, but in April half my team was fired so it’s over 60 now. My compensation was also cut and never returned. This is incredibly unique to me and how awful US News is, though.

      I would still not move back, mostly because there is no opportunity in my hometown unless you want to work for a bank.
      Dec 28, 2020