WalmartLabs base fair enough?
got a verbal offer from Walmart labs Bentonville AR for software engineer 3, they are offering base 87k, annual equity, annual bonus of 20%, joining equity(still not sure how much). Is the base good enough for SE3 or should I request more? also how much should the joining equity(signon) be for my experience? YOE: ~2yrs. Education: Master's in Computer Science.
People are getting 150K - 180K base out college at WalmartLabs in Sunnyvale. 87K at 2yoe is just unacceptable, irrespective of location. Don't ruin your career by joining Walmart at Bentonville. Try for positions in the Bay area at X4 level at least
180k seriously ??
For X4 which used to be new hires B4, but is 2+ yoe now, the minimum base salary in Sunnyvale I have seen is 135K in 2018 and 75% of all salaries are in 150K to 180K range for this combination, with many of them being around 160K. This is Walmart's way of being competitive, since the RSU structure is pretty horrible.
Consider that renting is at least 3-4 times higher in Sunnyvale and the state income tax is 10%. Cost of leaving in general is about twice/ three times as much.
I couldn't find sunnyvale or Bentonville on the website but basically the 180k in SF is equivelant to the 80k in Fayetteville. https://www.nerdwallet.com/cost-of-living-calculator/compare/san-francisco-ca-vs-fayetteville-ar
Cost of living calculations are overhyped. The only two expenses that's going to make a difference for you are rent (at most $1000 more), and state tax. I'd anyday take 180K in SF over 80K in AR, coz even if I spend 100K in SF, I'll still save more than AR!
If you spend 100k of after tax money in Bay Area, you will be left with 💩
I agree, computations based on COL does not add up. Plus, your current comp matters a lot for your next job. With 87K current comp, OP will have a hard time asking for 120 even in Bay Area.
I disagree, recruiters know that and they will adjust based on cost of living.
Regardless. The bands are huge and Walmart recruiters are known to low-ball big time
I know people in Bentonville offered 90+ base, they all start at 87. Rest looks right.
I lived in the Midwest so I can provide some perspective. Your base plus bonus target is pretty good for 2yoe in Bentonville. SV SE3 don’t get $180k base as far as I know ($140k is closer to reality). Even if that’s true, $180k sounds like a lot until you deduct about 15% extra tax from your income and paying $12k extra a year to rent lesser/older apartment. Forget about buying a house in SV, though you might be able to buy a decent house in Bentonville (I bought one in the Midwest making less than $87k). One thing is true: you’ll have more opportunity to save up more of your income if you go a bit extreme on your cost saving strategies with the higher income in Bay Area.
This early in your career you need to focus on gaining the right type of experience, instead of TC. Offer is a low ball but which team are you joining and what will you learn there ?
That seems low relative to SF salaries, but cost of living in AR is totally different...