I know a guy who did chem. engineering and went to work for Arco or something like that and started at 50-60K. I wouldn't know what to do with 68K, except pay off my student loans and get the hell out of dodge.

In the late 90s I'm sure there were plenty. But they disappeared by the time I graduated in 2002, the depth of the dot com bust.

Yup! Unfortunately, I did not get to meet Charlie this weekend 'cuz he was out of town.

And zoltani, I think?

My starting salary in 1972 with two graduate engineering degrees from MIT was $13.3K / annum, which in today's inflated dollars would be $72K. I think todays starting salaries are comparable. After 35 years when I retired I was making about $125K / annum including bonus. I could have made a lot more had I chosen a management advancement path, but I loved being just a real engineer, so I stayed with it. I've always lived modestly, paid cash for everything except my home, and am now happily retired living debt free. My advice to all of you just starting out to find something you really like, focus on being really good at it, and don't worry about the money side. I know some really rich people who are very miserable with all their material wealth.

Oh, also today I went to see a doctor regarding my clavicle



She said I could go surgery or not at this point (two opinions) and I opted against surgery.

I cringed. That looks freaking painful.

It's actually not as painful as when I had a hairline fracture in my right clavicle. Go figure.

Yeah man, look forward to riding with ya.

You better start getting your beard on...

Today I had a fun 70 mile road ride.

Is it broken? How is he walking around with a bone snapped in half! Looks incredibly painful - hope whatever treatment you go with works!

How the hell is that going to set properly w/o surgery? I mean I believe people in the medical field, but damn. Once healed, you will be able to use it as normal with no lasting effects? Fuuuuu.

RE: software engineer's salary in the bay area-
From my experience $70-80k is a typical starting point for a high-performing CS undergraduate, at least at my bay area company. It's a pretty well-known fact that we pay slightly below market average but make up for it in benefits and perks so at other well-known companies it may be 5-10% more.

EDIT: I'm sure if they had other skills or depending on what level they were hired in at for those skills, it could conceivably be higher as well.

Hahaha... gonna need some hair donations and gorilla glue.

It'll heal across the bone fragment that's just floating.

You don't really "set" a clavicle. Haha

I figured they would use a metal rod and screws or something.

That's only done if it's broken in a problem area, or the break is really bad. Something like 1% of clavicle injuries actually require surgery. Other than that, you just let it heal whatever crazy way your body wants to I guess.

Been there and done that, and broke it again just after it had mended.

Was only 6 when it happened and went a day before the pain got so bad that I told my mom something wasn't right.... remember the doctor saying I must be a pretty tough kid to have went the day without making a whimper.

Ironically, Charlie is in the East Bay right now. I may try to link up with him if time permits.

My clavicle ends about an inch up and an inch behind where it should due to me opting out of surgery. I'm in pretty constant pain with it, and the muscles around it are kinda messed up. make absolutely certain something like that doesn't happen to you.

The job I just started is paying me about 135% of my former highest paying job, once the restaurant opens. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it. To me, it's a ton of money because it's more than I've ever made, by a lot. I'm stoked. The number? 32.5k/annum, no benefits. I have friends that literally net more than my wife and I have ever grossed together, and are behind on bills. I don't get it.

Congrats!

You should come to NJ...I have (mediocre) line cooks that make that.

i dont believe.

edit: not trying to be a jerk, i just think your friends are lying.



since we are talking about employment, how many of you are close to the end of your career arc? meaning, are you close to the point where there is nowhere to go but change positions completely?

i am an expert level audi tech and i'll be master level soon. after that, there is nothing. i mean, new technologies will come along and i'll have to learn them but there will be no career progression. my lead tech is the same age as me and the shop foreman isnt going anywhere soon[i wouldnt want to be foreman anyways].

without showing a progression[suits who pay me need to see certification improvements] my pay will be stalled. im currently taking home close to ~70k/yr but i know some of the older techs are raking 6 figures. there is no way over the next 3-5 years im going to receive a raise equivalent to +30k...

im terrified i may become unhappy due to the money situation and i dont know anything else.

As long as they give you a little bump to keep up with inflation (say 3% per year), do you really need more money?

I imagine there are areas of the country where the cost of living is high enough that 6 figures is commensurate. Certainly not mine.

Today I took this on a 2-mile spin around the neighborhood to test out the studded tires and Power Grips:



Can't wait to try it on some snow and ice.

- Scott

If the work doesn't make you happy, more money isn't going to help. Also, you're near the threshold (I think it's ~$75K) where more money wont significantly change your lifestyle. Or so I've read.

Wouldn't your expertise be easily transferable to other similar high end (German) cars?

Yeah, but they pay that to make up for having to live in Jersey.

But seriously, line cooks making 32.5? That's nuts man. I don't know if you know fine dining at all or not, but line cooks at Alinea (among the best restaurants in the world, and they pay very competitively) make 26.5 a year. Average for a Chicago line cook is around 23 yearly.