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Posting this on a throwaway account, but I would like some feedback. I'm currently making $60k in Boston as a front-end developer with just over a year of worki

Posting this on a throwaway account, but I would like some feedback. I'm currently making $60k in Boston as a front-end developer with just over a year of working experience. I've wondered for a while whether I'm underpaid, but I am getting a lot of experience, so I figure it evens out. I mostly wonder what I should ask for when I start my next job after I pass the hallowed "two years experience" mark, and whether I should ask for a raise now.

jrdn 14y ago
That sounds about right to me, or just barely on the low side of right. Asking for a raise is something you can consider, but I'm not really going to say if it's a good or bad thing to do. If your job has changed and you've taken on more responsibility, that's a good way to stand up for yourself and ask for more money. On the other hand, doing it persistently might make your employers think you're unhappy and likely to jump ship. Then they'll be more interested in replacing you than developing you. Anyway, in this industry you generally start earning more through changing jobs, not getting raises/promotions within a job. Ride your job while you learn, and see if you can get some more money out of them in the meantime. Once you've grown to the point you're ready for something new, then that's when you can really expect to try and make a play for something bigger. At two years of experience & a new job, I'd probably try and get around $75k or so. Depends a bit on what sort of company you're working for (startups tend to pay less, for example) so at a larger company you might be able to swing something more like 80.
sherm8n 14y ago
Wow, you are underpaid. Do you have a CS degree? The smartest graduating students are starting their careers off at 100K at least.
- bostonthrowaway 14y ago
  I do not have a CS degree. I was a mostly through with my AS in CS when I got an offer here, so I took it. I believe it was the right decision, but I don't know how much difference going after a BS would have made.
- kevincennis 14y ago
  In Boston? As front-end web developers? With no experience outside of school? For $100k I'd expect a few years of serious experience and a pretty impressive GitHub commit history. EDIT Just saw who you work for. I'm going to take your comment with a grain of salt. No offense intended - but you're clearly not an impartial observer when it comes to developer salary discussions.
- nilkn 14y ago
  I don't know about the Boston market, but graduating students are not getting $100k in most markets outside of SV and NYC.
yekko 14y ago
Dude, you don't ask for a raise. You need to know your worth and go grab it. Either at the current company, or elsewhere.
- jrs235 14y ago
  Light bulb just went off in my head... "Don't ask for a raise..." From a psychology point this is dead on. NEVER ASK FOR A RAISE. Instead (know your worth) and show your superior(s) that you are under compensated. When you ask for a raise you're put in a place to justify it and the burden immediately falls on you. If you show that you're under compensated, your superior(s) will have the burden to show you why you're wrong, thus they will have to justify your salary. Granted they may pull the typical "there's no money in the budget" bull crap. But then at least you've gotten past step one... letting them know you expect more. If you choose to stick it out, only follow the dangling carrot of promises for a year tops. If you are important (or rather if they value you), they'll find the compensation. Note: show you're under compensated, not under paid. People tend to get hung up on the money. In fact your superior(s) will probably assume you are talking $$$. If they get defensive you can redirect them pointing out more vacation or other perks would do. You have a better shot of getting them.
dm9 14y ago
I'm 4 months into my first year out of school, and I'm making $75k same area. just for comparison. but my plan is to start a side project and eventually run my own business anyway.

jrdn 14y ago

That sounds about right to me, or just barely on the low side of right. Asking for a raise is something you can consider, but I'm not really going to say if it's a good or bad thing to do. If your job has changed and you've taken on more responsibility, that's a good way to stand up for yourself and ask for more money. On the other hand, doing it persistently might make your employers think you're unhappy and likely to jump ship. Then they'll be more interested in replacing you than developing you. Anyway, in this industry you generally start earning more through changing jobs, not getting raises/promotions within a job. Ride your job while you learn, and see if you can get some more money out of them in the meantime. Once you've grown to the point you're ready for something new, then that's when you can really expect to try and make a play for something bigger. At two years of experience & a new job, I'd probably try and get around $75k or so. Depends a bit on what sort of company you're working for (startups tend to pay less, for example) so at a larger company you might be able to swing something more like 80.

sherm8n 14y ago

Wow, you are underpaid. Do you have a CS degree? The smartest graduating students are starting their careers off at 100K at least.

bostonthrowaway 14y ago
I do not have a CS degree. I was a mostly through with my AS in CS when I got an offer here, so I took it. I believe it was the right decision, but I don't know how much difference going after a BS would have made.
kevincennis 14y ago
In Boston? As front-end web developers? With no experience outside of school? For $100k I'd expect a few years of serious experience and a pretty impressive GitHub commit history. EDIT Just saw who you work for. I'm going to take your comment with a grain of salt. No offense intended - but you're clearly not an impartial observer when it comes to developer salary discussions.
nilkn 14y ago
I don't know about the Boston market, but graduating students are not getting $100k in most markets outside of SV and NYC.

yekko 14y ago

Dude, you don't ask for a raise. You need to know your worth and go grab it. Either at the current company, or elsewhere.

jrs235 14y ago
Light bulb just went off in my head... "Don't ask for a raise..." From a psychology point this is dead on. NEVER ASK FOR A RAISE. Instead (know your worth) and show your superior(s) that you are under compensated. When you ask for a raise you're put in a place to justify it and the burden immediately falls on you. If you show that you're under compensated, your superior(s) will have the burden to show you why you're wrong, thus they will have to justify your salary. Granted they may pull the typical "there's no money in the budget" bull crap. But then at least you've gotten past step one... letting them know you expect more. If you choose to stick it out, only follow the dangling carrot of promises for a year tops. If you are important (or rather if they value you), they'll find the compensation. Note: show you're under compensated, not under paid. People tend to get hung up on the money. In fact your superior(s) will probably assume you are talking $$$. If they get defensive you can redirect them pointing out more vacation or other perks would do. You have a better shot of getting them.

dm9 14y ago

I'm 4 months into my first year out of school, and I'm making $75k same area. just for comparison. but my plan is to start a side project and eventually run my own business anyway.