Salary Increase & Relocating

[paiger81]

Interested in thoughts about how much of a salary increase you would want in order to get you to up & move to another area??

[lonestar]

depends on the Cost of Living of the destination. I would love to work in NYC someday, but after I finish the appropriate education that I chose because I would need a higher salary to get me to move there.

[paiger81]

Yeah, when I look at COL, basically it's telling me it's the same as here. So, now I'm trying to debate if the salary offered is worth me pickin up & move 6 hours away....

[wordsmith]

Enough to reflect the cost of living increase, if there is one. Other than that factor, I wouldn't necessarily expect more pay for a job I'd move for than I would the same job located locally...my salary expectations have more to do with the job/duties/etc. than whether or not I have to move, except, as noted, when a discrepancy in cost of living needs to be taken into account.

[embrassezla]

will they pay for your move?

[paiger81]

No, but they will pay my first's month rent until I find a place I want to live at.

[MetFanL]

If you're relocating for a position, it's not out of line to ask for moving expenses. So, even if the salary is similar, the move is a wash.

Also, ANY job movement should offer a step up in pay. Unless you really hate you're job, there is no reason to make a lateral move.

[lonestar]

Austin seems to have the highest COL in Texas, and it is still not bad at all compared to cities back where I am from (except my hometown of Buffalo which is incredibely cheap because its so friggen cold and other economic factors). If you are moving to BCS I imagine since its a college town rents near the A&M will be higher, but I would say that it seems like a cool town, and if you are so-so about where you currently live, then go for it!

[wordsmith]

I wouldn't ever expect moving expenses to be reimbursed unless it were a new job within the same company. It's not really standard practice where I am/in the field I'm in.

[wordsmith]

Also, ANY job movement should offer a step up in pay. Unless you really hate you're job, there is no reason to make a lateral move.

Generally speaking, this is true. It's not unheard of, though, to not get a pay increase/even to take a pay cut if you're switiching fields entirely. That's just sometimes how it works out. Not everyone would opt to make the change, that being the case, but it does work out that way sometimes.

When I switched into journalism, I took a slight pay cut, which was a. understandable because I had no previous experience, and b. not really something that mattered because my cost of living also went down super drastically, and it balanced out. I actually was doing better on the lower income, due to where I was living.

[paiger81]

If you are moving to BCS I imagine since its a college town rents near the A&M will be higher, but I would say that it seems like a cool town, and if you are so-so about where you currently live, then go for it!

See, I'm leaning towards the B of BCS, where rent is cheaper. My big issue is that I asked a certain salary & they offered me slightly less. I'm debating whether to play hardball & stand firm on what I asked for.

Plus, I still have quite a few app's out, so I'm not sure I want to take this one simply cause it was the first to be offered, ya know.

[lonestar]

If I stay in Texas instead of going to Vero Beach next fall, I am looking at moving to Lockhart or one of the other southern Austin towns.burbs and commuting to Austin because SM is a nice town and rents are cheaper.

How far is B from CS? They are pretty close...and BCS I imagine doesn't have the traffic problems that bigger cities do...what would be your commute? Be careful with state salaries...they may not be able to negotiate because of state budgets and things (salaries seem to be pretty set at Universities, I have found).

[paiger81]

It's 8 miles, so about a 15 minute drive. I was surprised at the difference in rent with that short of a commute, but I guess most students want to live right on top of the school.

[Kitty]

If you're relocating for a position, it's not out of line to ask for moving expenses. So, even if the salary is similar, the move is a wash.

Also, ANY job movement should offer a step up in pay. Unless you really hate you're job, there is no reason to make a lateral move.

I completely agree with this. IMO, a lateral move is really just moving backwards.

[paiger81]

I completely agree with this. IMO, a lateral move is really just moving backwards.

It's a lateral move position wise, but with a bigger college, so the opportunity for career growth & salary is greater.

[wordsmith]

But for some people in some situations, just making a change takes precedence over advancement. It's surely more common to move up, but it's not always about that. Sometimes making the switch is the most important thing, and it may or may not come with a pay increase. And, like noted before, depending on COL adjustments, even a pay cut can in some cases not make a dent in the finances as a whole.

[Kitty]

It's a lateral move position wise, but with a bigger college, so the opportunity for career growth & salary is greater.

Career growth, maybe. But I've yet to see any University really offer that great of salary increases.

[paiger81]

Career growth, maybe. But I've yet to see any University really offer that great of salary increases.

Which is why I'm asking how much of a salary increase would be worth moving for.

[Kitty]

Which is why I'm asking how much of a salary increase would be worth moving for.

10% pay increase, bare minimum.

[SmilesSoSweet]

I asked for more than what I was making in So. Cali knowing that Phoenix has a cheaper COL than Orange County. But really my last job paid their employees way lower than other companies did.

My relocation expenses were also covered. And because my pay was so low at my last job, I only asked for X amount for my starting salary. I could have asked for more but didn't. Good thing that my COL here is much, much cheaper!

[winneythepooh7]

But for some people in some situations, just making a change takes precedence over advancement. It's surely more common to move up, but it's not always about that. Sometimes making the switch is the most important thing, and it may or may not come with a pay increase. And, like noted before, depending on COL adjustments, even a pay cut can in some cases not make a dent in the finances as a whole.


This is probably what is going to ultimately happen with me, especially if I decide to have a child one day. I am currently in an administrative role at my agency, however, I would probably have to take a step-down and become something like a Case Manager at some point if I do decide to have a child. I would need the flexibility, and it would probably be a pay-cut. But, if I did find a job in Long Island, close to where I live, I also would be saving the $$$$ from the commute, so it would average out.

[wordsmith]

This is probably what is going to ultimately happen with me, especially if I decide to have a child one day. I am currently in an administrative role at my agency, however, I would probably have to take a step-down and become something like a Case Manager at some point if I do decide to have a child. I would need the flexibility, and it would probably be a pay-cut. But, if I did find a job in Long Island, close to where I live, I also would be saving the $$$$ from the commute, so it would average out.

Exactly. Oftentimes, life circumstances end up outweighing the push to advance.

[LakeJay]

10% pay increase, bare minimum.

I have no basis for getting that number but I was thinking the same thing.

[Kitty]

Ok, I can understand certain circumstances (like having a kid and needing more flexibility or changing fields entirely) necessitating a pay cut, but Paige isn't doing any of those things and the COL is the same. I think taking a pay cut would be a bad move - and I think even taking the same pay would be just standing still.

I also think "possibility for growth" is somewhat of a crap shoot, and even if that possibility is there you should still be making more money. That's the way it works - if they want you to work for them at the same level you're already at and they aren't going to pay you more - what's the motivation?

[paiger81]

And let me make it clear, I wouldn't be taking a PAY CUT, I just wouldn't be getting the salary that I asked for! In fact, what is offered is about 15% more than what I make now.

[Kitty]

And let me make it clear, I wouldn't be taking a PAY CUT, I just wouldn't be getting the salary that I asked for! In fact, what is offered is about 15% more than what I make now.

I think that's enough to make me want to switch jobs assuming I WANT the new job. I guess it just comes down to if you want to live in this other City and the factors involved in that.

[wordsmith]

No, Kitty, I wasn't talking about Paige, just addressing the assertion made earlier that you should never make a move if there isn't a pay increase involved. It's not as common, but there are times when other reasons supercede. But I wasn't trying to imply that that was the case here.

[lonestar]

Ok, I can understand certain circumstances (like having a kid and needing more flexibility or changing fields entirely) necessitating a pay cut, but Paige isn't doing any of those things and the COL is the same. I think taking a pay cut would be a bad move - and I think even taking the same pay would be just standing still.

I also think "possibility for growth" is somewhat of a crap shoot, and even if that possibility is there you should still be making more money. That's the way it works - if they want you to work for them at the same level you're already at and they aren't going to pay you more - what's the motivation?

If I go to FlightSafety I will be making about half of what I do now when I finish the program. After I few years if I am lucky I may be able to make $30,000. On top of that, I will have $70,000 of student loans when all is said and done. - I will probably get a second job at Subway or something to supplement my income.

[Kitty]

If I go to FlightSafety I will be making about half of what I do now when I finish the program. After I few years if I am lucky I may be able to make $30,000. On top of that, I will have $70,000 of student loans when all is said and done. - I will probably get a second job at Subway or something to supplement my income.

Ok, that's lovely...but this post was about PAIGE and HER issue. I'm sure there's a million other issues when a pay cut may be OK, but I was responding to PAIGE's post.

What is so hard to understand about that?

[lonestar]

I wasn't arguing with you. Everyone else was talking about prospective pay cuts or raises...I thought I would mention what I am looking at...

you sound a little defensive.

[and1grad]

If I go to FlightSafety I will be making about half of what I do now when I finish the program. After I few years if I am lucky I may be able to make $30,000. On top of that, I will have $70,000 of student loans when all is said and done. - I will probably get a second job at Subway or something to supplement my income.
I hope you REALLY love flying cuz that guaranteeing yourself YEARS of debt.

[Kitty]

I wasn't arguing with you. Everyone else was talking about prospective pay cuts or raises...I thought I would mention what I am looking at...

you sound a little defensive.

I'm not defensive, but you quoted me saying pay cuts are a no no and then explained a situation where you are taking a pay cut, so yeah, I'm going to tend to think you're responding to my post specifically and countering my point.

[lonestar]

I was just illustrating a case where a pay cut is in order...I didn't intend to start a war. Are you upset with me about something? I don't understand why you got mad...

[Kitty]

I was just illustrating a case where a pay cut is in order...I didn't intend to start a war. Are you upset with me about something? I don't understand why you got mad...

No, I'm not upset...I was just irritated that my point got taken out of context several times in this thread. But, it's not really a big deal.

I'm not mad at you - don't worry, this isn't war ;)

[lonestar]

I hope you REALLY love flying cuz that guaranteeing yourself YEARS of debt.

Well it sure as hell won't be easy, but nothing ever is...

[wordsmith]

I'm just as guilty of disputing the "pay cuts are a no-no" thing, because I think it's entirely dependent upon individual circumstances and a host of other factors. I was actually responding to Met, though. And not being combative, or saying that everyone SHOULD take pay cuts, or anything like that. Just pointing out that there are instances where it happens.

[paiger81]

I think it's dependent on the person as to whether a pay cut is acceptable.

[wordsmith]

Exactly...the instance I alluded to where my pay went down slightly, while my cost of living, by contrast, went down dramatically would be a case in point.

[winneythepooh7]

No, I'm not upset...I was just irritated that my point got taken out of context several times in this thread. But, it's not really a big deal.

I'm not mad at you - don't worry, this isn't war ;)

Doesn't EVERYTHING get taken out of context on this site????!!!!

[analogman]

15% pay raise to work at a larger organization with more possibility of advancement while living in an area with the same COL sounds like a no brainer to me :)

It sounds like a good deal. I've never been to BCS but I would guess CC has more of a "city" feel to it which could be nice. I think 15% pay raise is adequate compensation for small compromises in quality of life.

I'd ask about a relocation package though. Breaking even on the move would be good. Making a profit would be even better. :huge:

[yankeeyosh]

When I got my current job, I was offered 10K more than what I was earning at my previous job, and that was the bare minimum that I would take. Not that I was greedy or entitled, but it was because (a) I was living at home at the time, and had to live on my own and (b) I felt that for someone with my background, which included more marketable skills than someone with just a year or two of working experience, that was the bottom of what I was considering (some people said that I should have asked for 65-70K, but those numbers were mind boggling at the time). Little did I know that I would actually feel overcompensated four months later :neutral:

[SunDevil]

It depends on if you like the new city or not. If I had to move to Boston, I would want 5 times what I am making now (like I've said before). If I would move to San Diego (Hawaii might be nice as well), I would work at my same salary, even though cost of living is 3 times higher (assuming that I didn't have to deal with traffic very much).

As for moving to the middle of Texas instead of the gulf coast... I would rather live near the beach and in the better city. But, if the new job is much better, I could suffer through living in a boring town.

Which place would you be happier at 1 year from now?

[yankeeyosh]

It depends on if you like the new city or not. If I had to move to Boston, I would want 5 times what I am making now (like I've said before). If I would move to San Diego (Hawaii might be nice as well), I would work at my same salary, even though cost of living is 3 times higher (assuming that I didn't have to deal with traffic very much).

I take it you don't like boston.