What should I expect to make as an entry level software developer?

Naebliss

I just graduated with a BS in applied computing and I'm applying for software development jobs in the Phoenix area. On some of the job descriptions they want me to give them my salary requirements. I'm not really sure what I should be telling them. So far I have been ducking the question by saying that I have no specific salary requirement, but the money question is probably gonna come up in interviews and I'm not sure what I should be asking for. What do you guys think is a reasonable salary for an entry level software developer? Whats a great salary? Whats the minimum I should be getting before they start taking advantage of me? If it matters I'm looking for jobs with some combination of Java, C# or SQL. Thanks.

Dunadan019

50K

Dunadan019

or if you want to generate a more personalized number, www.payscale.com

NotYou

It's your first job, so I'd take anything above 35k. I'd agree about asking for 50k though. It sounds reasonable.

baudattitude

Fresh out of school, you don't have any salary history, so whatever you get first is pretty important. I'm going to agree with the 50K number for a salary job. You may have trouble finding salary work, though, so if you wind up doing contract work you should be asking for at least $35 an hour, probably more.

Go UP a bit if you're dealing with financial or automotive etc, be ready to go down a bit if you're applying for entertainment software or multimedia. This is the "boredom multiplier"

After you get your first job, expect your salary every time you change companies to be (last company) * 1.1, so that first number is pretty important.

zilo

45k-50k is reasonable, assuming you're doing design and development (and not just legacy code maintenance, which often pays less).

Jimmy King

It's going to depend on your area somewhat, but so far everyone seems to be relatively in line. Where I am most entry level dev work pays between $40k and $55k with the company really aiming for $40k to $45k.

Hlubocky

It really depends on where you went to school and what type of job you are applying for. It can range from anywhere between 35k and 70k for someone with a B.S.

Dehumanized

Both the summer internship that I did two years ago and the consulting firm I work for now offered pay right in the 45-50k range for an entry position.

FWIW, I've got a similar degree and am in the Pacific Northwest.

bowen

Expect to make 45k unless you live in an area with a high cost of living. Those salary figures often don't include your benefits though, so your take home may be a percent smaller.

zenpotato

My commercial software company has hired interns right out of college at a salary of 60K-ish. (Granted, everyone else beside developers makes significantly less.)

ToddJewell

It really depends upon what the job consists of doing -- some are mostly support development whereas others can get pretty detailed. Don't avoid the salary question and don't try to be cute about it. Also, don't price yourself out of a job by asking for more than what you are really worth. Don't believe what your school tells you people make.

There are more people than there are jobs right now. You are selling yourself and your skill set to the companies you interview with.

I have interviewed people with three years of experience that want 80 and people with three years that want 55. Don't over inflate your worth, but don't undersell yourself either.

All of this said, depending on what the job entails and where you are, you will probably be in the low 40 range. Depending on the market and what is available, realize that you may have to suck it up. I started about 25% lower than what I thought I would be at and that was after I negotiated them up 25%.

Tejs

I graduated in 07 and was initially offered 50K. Then another company got wind of that and offered me 52K. The first company came back with 60K. Company 2 didn't bother after that.

I guess it depends on whether your skillset is in demand and whether you can prove you are worth the money.

MrMonroe

it absolutely depends on where you're looking to work

you'll make a lot more (and simultaneously save a lot less) if you work in NYC than if you work in Detroit

bowen

zenpotato wrote: »

My commercial software company has hired interns right out of college at a salary of 60K-ish. (Granted, everyone else beside developers makes significantly less.)

Hey where do I apply?

tardcore

By the way, congrats on graduating.

Naebliss

Thanks for responding everyone. Looks like 50k is the magic number to start negotiating from.