[lovich]

> A decent job these days starts at $200k.

Bruh

> That's fresh out of college or shortly after.

Bruh

> Obviously not everyone makes that much, but it's not unusual at all in tech.

Triple bruh.

Maybe in some heavy tech based tiny regions like SF or NYC.

Even in second tier tech hubs like Boston new grads are doing great if they break 120k.

And tech jobs are a small minority of all jobs. The only way I could understand your description of a “decent job” is if you think the vast majority of jobs aren’t decent, much less good.

[ghaff]

Total comp is complicated etc. etc. But, yeah, even in markets like the broad Boston area--I'm not in HR--but $200K would seem like a really good salary for someone just out of school. And I did have salary discussions at work when I had a lot of experience and I did seem comfortable but not in the ridiculously high range some people seem to throw around.

[lovich]

Total comp in most companies isn’t complicated.

Most companies either don’t give equity or aren’t public and you can value those options with their twelve levels of caveats at effectively zero. The bonus component is the most common portion of compensation that actually varies from year to year and isn’t a large fraction of anyone’s comp unless they are high up in the company hierarchy.

Edit: and to be clear, 200k in a market like Boston is a good/great compensation for _anyone_. It would be amazing for a first job out of school. The original poster saying 200k was what decent jobs started at is incredibly out of touch.

[ghaff]

Benefits factor in too as do various other things including bonuses and RSUs at public companies but I don't really disagree in general. For most people, base salary is often your comp and something over $100K is probably the norm for a good professional job.