<p>Everyone says that the average starting salary for engineers is around $50,000; however, does the cost-of-living factor into the equation? Would someone in LA be able to command a higher starting salary than someone in Houston, simply because it is more expensive to live in LA?</p>
<p>No not really.</p>
<p>Companies factor this a little bit but not as much as they should. Of course it all varies.</p>
<p>Yes some do. A former roommate of mine got a +15% cost of living adjustment for his salary (in new york city).</p>
<p>Cost of living is definitely factored in, to any job. You could hardly live in NYC for $50,000 a year - no one in their right mind would take a job in NYC for that amount over a job in, say, Bethesda, Maryland, or even Redmond, Washington for the same amount. You'd be in debt up to your eyeballs in NYC but could live somewhat comfortably in Redmond for that amount.</p>
<p>bethesda, md is pretty expensive too
top 20 city for expensive home prices in the US</p>
<p>Only the big "dream jobs" usually do. Most employers don't. The job market is so competitive that if you are not willing to take the job someone else whose just as qualified probably would love the salary you consider low.</p>
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Cost of living is definitely factored in, to any job. You could hardly live in NYC for $50,000 a year - no one in their right mind would take a job in NYC for that amount over a job in, say, Bethesda, Maryland, or even Redmond, Washington for the same amount. You'd be in debt up to your eyeballs in NYC but could live somewhat comfortably in Redmond for that amount
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<p>I agree with what UriA702 said above. For most companies, if you don't take their offer, they'll just find somebody else who will. </p>
<p>In the case of a $50k salary in NYC, the fact is, NYC is probably the most interesting city at least in the US, and arguably in the world. Hence, plenty of people (especially recent college graduates) are perfectly willing to take such a job just so they can live in NYC. Yeah, they'll enjoy a low standard of living. But at least they're in NYC. </p>
<p>We have to keep in mind that expensive places are expensive* for a reason*. The reason why NYC is expensive is simple - it's a nice place to live with lots of things to do. If that wasn't the case, nobody would want to live there and the cost of living would consequently drop.</p>
<p>We are in the northeast. Husbands global firm has been adding signing bonus's to offers to engineers. Fact.</p>
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Cost of living is definitely factored in, to any job. You could hardly live in NYC for $50,000 a year - no one in their right mind would take a job in NYC for that amount over a job in, say, Bethesda, Maryland, or even Redmond, Washington for the same amount. You'd be in debt up to your eyeballs in NYC but could live somewhat comfortably in Redmond for that amount.
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<p>Um my mom makes $34K a year and we live in NYC, we have for 23 years and we do more than fine.</p>
<p>I have plenty of friends who I went to HS with whos familys live perfectly fine on 22k or less a year.</p>
<p>you don't know what you are talking about.</p>
<p>$50k a year is alot of money.</p>
<p>What JohnLennon meant was in New York City. Your family may be living fine on a 34k salary but how long have you lived in NYC? you are prob on stabilized rent. </p>
<p>Housing in New York City (excluding the other 4 boroughs) is extremely expensive. a entry-level one bedroom in a walk-up building with no doorman and no amenities usually start at the $2000-$2500 a month if you are lucky enough to find something for that rate (below 116th st.)
Which for new graduates is very difficult especially considering short-lease (12 or 24 months) with rent going up 50% or more every time your lease is due to expire. </p>
<p>In that case, Yes, if you want to live in a nice safe neighborhood in NYC rent alone can be insanely expensive. Let alone factoring in utilities, transportation, food, and other spending money.</p>
<p>I've lived in NYC my entire life and as much I love it, 50k a year in NYC would lead to a very low standard of living in a rat infested dump.</p>
<p>Sax - that is a very good point. Signing bonuses are often not taken into consideration. A ton of buddies of mine going into accounting and other fields of economics on average have a starting salary in NYC of around 40-50k. But, they always land these fat 5k-10k signing bonuses which should be put in the bank to help offset the high cost-of-living in NYC and used when your salary isn't enough to cover the bills.</p>
<p>goat4d, I'd absolutely love to hear where these "families" live for what amounts to roughly $10/hour, 40 hours a week, 50 weeks a year (or less, apparently). I guess a family has to have at least 2 people (the kid and an adult), so that's two people living in NYC for under $1834 a month. Let's say you somehow manage to eat for an average of only $9/day per person, which would be quite a feat. That's $6570/year. So, even without factoring in NY and federal income tax and FICA taxes, you are down to, what, under $16,000 a year? And this is for two people? Then, you'll need at least an apartment with room for a stove and refrigerator (if you want to eat on that $9/day), a means of transportation, internet, a computer, power and water, hopefully some sort of insurance (health), and plenty of other things I'm sure I'm forgetting for under $16,000 a year, in New York City no less. I'd love to be wrong here - enlighten me. Where can I support a family "perfectly fine" for minimum wage work 60 hours a week (total for the family) in NYC?</p>
<p>JohnLennon, </p>
<p>goat4d/zorz tends to exaggerate quite a bit.</p>
<p>goat4d, are we talking about NYC? or Manhattan? I'd like to know where a recent grad making 34k a year can live in Manhattan. I'm assuming your family rents, and doesn't own (which doesn't make for a good comparison here). For a studio, you're not going to find much for less than $1000 per month. If you disagree please please let me know where you can find a cheaper place to live. And if you succeed, definitely consider a career in real estate. </p>
<p>Outside of Manhattan it'll be relatively easier, but still difficult to survive on $34k.</p>
<p>I live in CA, I want to move for AZ/TX for the cost of living boost.</p>
<p>My parents have been living in NYC (Manhattan) for over 20 years with an income, in 2006, of 23k. Every year before 2006, my parents income has been 12-13k/yr. We still do more than fine.</p>
<p>^ I honestly can't find this credible. What exactly do you mean when you say 'more than fine'?</p>
<p>I have no reason to lie or exaggerate.</p>
<p>We live in NYC, and in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx on 239th street. We don't have rent stabilization and our new lease just went up to $1034 per month. Like I said we make around 34k a year and live perfectly fine. I love where I live and my mom really works hard for her money and she does have a college education. Oh yeah that 34K gives 4 people & 2 cats a home, food, education, TV, Cable Internet, A/c and everything else you may think of. </p>
<p>Where can you live on such wages, well I went to school at Herbert H. Lehman HS. which is at 3000 e. Tremont ave. Bronx, NY 10461 MY HS <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=3000+e.+tremont+ave.+Bronx,+NY+10461&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=50.424342,82.265625&ie=UTF8&ll=40.840584,-73.839063&spn=0.002967,0.005021&t=k&z=18&om=1&layer=c&cbll=40.840664,-73.83849%5B/url%5D">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=3000+e.+tremont+ave.+Bronx,+NY+10461&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=50.424342,82.265625&ie=UTF8&ll=40.840584,-73.839063&spn=0.002967,0.005021&t=k&z=18&om=1&layer=c&cbll=40.840664,-73.83849</a></p>
<p>I told you how much most people made and if ya go to wikipedia, you will find the median income. Most other govt' sites agree.</p>
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The median income for a household in the borough was $27,611, and the median income for a family was $30,682. Males had a median income of $31,178 versus $29,429 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $13,959. About 28.0% of families and 30.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.5% of those under age 18 and 21.3% of those age 65 or over.
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<p>I mean I dont know what more to say, we make what we make and we are fine by it. Do things get tough at times, of course but my mom is good with money and she has been doing it all for a very long time on alot less money.</p>
<p>I apologize if you guys thought I meant Manhattan, though the last time I check NYC didnt equal Manhattan it equaled 5 boroughs.</p>
<p>average starting pay for engineers in silicon valley is 60-70k. so yeah, it matters.</p>
<p>Although your still probably better off taking 40k in nashville :)</p>
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What the hell do your parents do where they each made $6000/year? Honestly that's working less than 17 hours a week for minimum wage (for each of them). There's no way I believe this.</p>