These engineers were able to take best advantage of the supply and demand problem for technical talent and accepted offers that far outweighed the average salary increase that would have resulted from an annual review. These other industries include military electronics, medical products, consumer electronics and industrial equipment. Many times engineers can earn as much in a lower cost of living area as they would in a high cost of living city due to the supply and demand for technical talent. The key to earning the highest salary is to make sure that your skills are in line with the market demand and that you position yourself in a geography where there are several opportunities for someone with your skill set. Trading off a high salary for an opportunity that will utilize out of date technology could be career suicide.
Technology is a vital component to an engineer's career.
Trading off technology for money could prove to be a very dangerous maneuver. Salaries and Region N orthern California is in a salary zone of its own. Simply put, the West Coast job market sizzled in late '95 and early '96. Companies resorted to signing bonuses, down payments on houses and, most important, higher salaries to lure the brightest and best to The Valley That Stock Options Created. But they didn't go crazy with the salaries.