Accuracy of salary websites - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Poe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2016, 08:55:08 pm
content: Listening to an Amp Hour "Catalyzing Change Agents".They're talking about a recent grad only making $35k a year... in Australia.I was in a similar situation ten years back. Few companies in the area and they were only willing to hire me if I agreed to worked for peanuts.I attempted to negotiate with data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and websites like Salary.com, GlassDoor.com, etc. with no luck.Might just be my area, but what is your experience?

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2016, 09:23:41 pm
content: Many of the web-salary info are from job sites or placement firms. It is to their advantage to exaggerate the salary. Folks are more likely to look for a new employer if they think they are currently underpaid.The number usually come down a bit just prior to face-to-face interviews. The real number, which is from the employer, usually end up being lower still.

author: blacksheeplogic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2016, 09:32:22 pm
content: Quote from: Poe on August 10, 2016, 08:55:08 pmI've trained new hires, it's costly and you don't know how long they will stay, over the years they quaulity dropped as the institutes are more concerned with student's passing than actual ability.If you are good and the company can afford it your salary will increase, if your good and the company can't afford it you will move.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2016, 10:13:06 pm
content: Those types of data are only useful if you live in a big market and a generalist: a factory worker, a number, a secretary, etc. Large pools of supply and fluidity of demand will drive the market to a narrow equilibrium.If you are a specialist, such data rarely exists and if it does it is often unreliable.There, networking is a better source of info. From an employer's perspective, you keep tab on such information by constantly "in the market", even if you aren't really in the market.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2016, 11:39:30 pm
content: My experience is that there are quite a few engineers that are paid far higher than salary data on GlassDoor etc suggest, but they are field specialists. You don't tend to see "RF Systems Engineer", or "Digital High-Speed Memory Engineer" on those lists but those are the guys that are paid very well.A $35k/year job as a graduate isn't too bad, but I know the cost of living in Australia is quite silly at times. With no experience that is probably about right as there are costs involved in training and recruitment, plus you are likely to need at least some support from other engineers which drains engineering effort from elsewhere.It helps to have done internships or work placements during your education because you come out with a CV that is stuffed with things you have done and shows a specialism in a certain area.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2016, 12:51:08 am
content: FYI, I started my first official engineering job with around "average" for EE, and yes, with exaggeration, that's not too bad.But I'm exceptional, so make of that what you will.Tim

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2016, 06:55:50 pm
content: Quote from: tom66 on August 10, 2016, 11:39:30 pmre: $35K/yearIn the USA, salary figures for particular specialties arelisted by postal code. These figures typically came from and found on the websites of placement firms and consultancies. As said before, the figures tend to be exaggerated.The numbers are best compared along with a denominator. Typically, rent is the biggest expense.For example, in my area, rent for typical studio/efficiency* apartments of typical size (500-600sq feet) is around $1400 per month.$35K = $35K/(12x1.4)=2.08Once you include the denominator, now you know how much $35K is around where you will work. If you make $35K, you cannot afford a Studio Apt - it costs around 1/2 your income even before tax and before food.Popularized byThe Economist, "Big Mac" is/became a good index. But I don't frequent MacDonalds so I have no idea how many Big Mac can you buy with $35K in my area.*Since even in the USA, they are called different things depending on area:Studio/efficiency apartmentsare (one room + bathroom) with sleeping space, kitchen, eating area all in that one room. Different areas of the USA called it different.