Reasonable Salary for Entry Level Programmers?

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Reasonable Salary for Entry Level Programmers?

Posted by Cliff on Tuesday April 20, 2004 @11:58AM from the is-this-job-offering-me-enough dept.

An anonymous reader asks: "I will be graduating from college in May with a degree in computer science. I have begun the job search and gone on a few interviews. So far I have gotten two job offers which I am thankful for, but the salary seems low. I am not saying that I am too good to pay my dues and work my way up, but I could make more waiting tables. It is somewhat distressing that I have spent 4 years of college and years before that developing my programming skills. I am not trying to get rich, but I was hoping that the high level of skill required would account for something(no offense intended to waiters). Can anyone give me any insight about what a reasonable starting salary would be, for an entry level software engineer?"

19 of 1,525 comments (clear)

I don't know a good rate... by bennomatic · 2004-04-20 11:59 · Score: 5, Funny

...but it'll probably be paid in rupees.

--
The CB App. What's your 20?
1. Re:I don't know a good rate... by eclectro · 2004-04-20 12:29 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  ...but it'll probably be paid in rupees
  
  Will there be enough to buy some hotpockets and a can of diet coke?
  
  --
  Take the cheese to sickbay, the doctor should see it as soon as possible - B'Elanna Torres, "Learning Curve"
2. Re:I don't know a good rate... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-04-20 13:27 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  $45k is hard to live on with $1000/month rent? What SUVs do you "own" (ie have loans on)?
  
  parent mentioned something about "kids" or something. maybe they cost money.
3. Re:I don't know a good rate... by cephalon_tsurpher · 2004-04-20 15:48 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  [quote] Will there be enough to buy some hotpockets and a can of diet coke? [/quote] No, but you can buy a magic shield or blue ring.
4. Re:I don't know a good rate... by misleb · 2004-04-20 18:33 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  So I guess we need to start a new trade deal between teh US and Canada. Send the sick Canadians to the US and the cheap drugs to the US. :P
  
  --
  "THERE IS NO JUSTICE, THERE IS ONLY ME." -Death
5. Re:I don't know a good rate... by Junior+J.+Junior+III · 2004-04-21 01:15 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  I'd kill for $20 an hour
  
  That sounds like a bargain to me. Where can I fax the list of people I want killed?
  
  --
  You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!
Hold on?! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-04-20 12:00 · Score: 5, Funny

You found a programming job in America?
The starting rate... by Faust7 · 2004-04-20 12:00 · Score: 4, Funny

Approximately 3 outsourced India worker salaries per year.

--
The coolest voice ever.
You already know the answer by HungWeiLo · 2004-04-20 12:02 · Score: 4, Funny

(Average Indian Wage) + (25% outsourcing overhead) + (25% less-likely-to-die-from-unstable-political-climate premium) + (25% understands lame jokes from upper mgmt premium)

--
There are a huge number of yeast infections in this county. Probably because we're downriver from the bread factory.
Re:Welcome to the real world there son by thryllkill · 2004-04-20 12:02 · Score: 5, Funny

"...It proves you can learn,"

I know a lot of college grads that prove you wrong Sir.

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Note to self: No more arguing with the faithful.
in 1994 by geekoid · 2004-04-20 12:11 · Score: 4, Funny

I made 28K on my first job as Jr. Programmer.

In 1995, I was making 55K
2001, I was making $60 per hour
2002 60K per year
2004, 400 a week with unemployment.

The look on my wifes face when I told her we were going to have to move into one of her moms houses, priceless.

For everything else, there's Bahnglor express.

--
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
Re:Likewise by Mesaeus · 2004-04-20 12:14 · Score: 5, Funny

Actually, you'd likely get promoted to management and get lots more money, provided you can spout enough gibberish about "synthesizing core energies" and other such things.
Let me be the first to say by geekoid · 2004-04-20 12:15 · Score: 4, Funny

do you have any openings*?

*A curse on the first person who replies with a link that has the letter c and x anywhere near the word goat.

--
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
Re:Likewise by MagikSlinger · 2004-04-20 12:26 · Score: 5, Funny

Be aware that you'll do better ... [If] you show critical thinking and responsibility.

That's just crazy talk! Those two traits are unwanted in investors, politicians and even voters!

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The bitter lessons of a veteran coder: http://bitterprogrammer.blogspot.com
Re:Likewise by DA-MAN · 2004-04-20 12:41 · Score: 5, Funny

I believe the PHB term is synergizing core energies

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Can I get an eye poke?
Dog House Forum
$70 bucks a week by CrazyTalk · 2004-04-20 12:42 · Score: 4, Funny

Not to be too much of a downer, but here's one for $70 a week - and you will find lower salaries than that posted on this site here
Re:You're worried? by MikeCapone · 2004-04-20 13:07 · Score: 4, Funny

Sounds like every jackass liberal arts professor I had while attending Uni. I think they were bitter that they needed to get a PhD to get anywhere with their worthless area of study.

Wow! Who's bitter now?

--
Treehugger? Treehugger... Treehugger!
There are things worse than rupees... by sprior · 2004-04-20 13:17 · Score: 5, Funny

Stock options...
Re:HS Graduate by AvantLegion · 2004-04-20 13:37 · Score: 5, Funny

Jobs are like relationships. It's always easier to get a new job offer when you've already got an existing job -- even a crappy one.

So what you're saying is that women are like evil hiring managers?
....
.... you know what, the world makes a little more sense on this day...