First off, open source work "on the side" is direct tech experience. It just so happens that you donated your work rather than being paid for it. Second you sh

First off, open source work "on the side" is direct tech experience. It just so happens that you donated your work rather than being paid for it. Second you should seriously consider the cost of living, and use something like this http://money.cnn.com/calculator/pf/cost-of-living/ http://money.cnn.com/calculator/pf/cost-of-living/ as a ballpark. Third you should be candid with them, and don't offer a salary requirement unless they directly ask. Instead let them make a first offer. Generally if you offer too high they will simply offer what they had planned to see if you take it, and if you offer too low they will accept and save the extra expense of what they were really willing to pay. Best of luck to you!