Entry-Level Software Developer Salary

[soccer7707]

Hello all,

I just got a job offer in the Boston Area and wanted to see if anyone had an idea of the going rate of an Entry-Level Software Developer in the area. I have done my calculations, I just wanted to see if there are any trends that standout.

Thanks!

btw - I am graduating right now with a BSCP and BSCS for educational background, if needed.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

That depends upon the school you graduated from, how well you did while there (yes, many places will ask), how well the interview went, prior experience, type of job (VHDL programmer, database, etc.), location of the job (stuff in Boston proper is pricier than something just inside the 495 loop), etc. etc. etc.

That said, a BS and no experience will probably earn you in the mid-60's give or take. Boston is expensive, and you'll want to make a good salary if you want to live in the city proper and don't want to live in a complete dump... been there, done that, Boston kept a lot of my take-home pay. Three years was enough for me.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[soccer7707]

Thanks MacGyver...It's actually just outside the 95 loop. I will never live IN Boston, I'd rather commute a bit.

 

[IRstuff]

Here's what salary.com says:
software developer 1 which has median at about $63K, similar to what Greg posted, but the spread is rather gigantic.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[MacGyverS2000]

I lived in/near Boston from 2000-2003. In the less desirable places I lived outside the 95 loop my rent was in the $1,500/month range. Inside the loop (barely), but still not in Boston proper, rents were $2k(ish) for a decent apartment. Things may have changed since then, but it's not common for rents to go down over time.

If you don't mind living with roommates, you can have a decent standard of living. With a take-home pay of a bit more than $40k/yr, it would be tough to chew on losing half of that to rent if you try to live alone. I was working with my Masters at the time, so my take-home was quite a bit better, but I still cringed at how much left my pocket every month. In some areas, Boston is approaching New York in monthly cost.

Parking is also a bear... make sure whatever place you get has reserved parking, especially the closer you get to the city. The last thing you want to do is circle the block 20 times waiting for a spot to open when you just worked a 10 hour day and have groceries in the car. Parking spots in the city can be $500-1k/month. Think metro travel will save cash? Sure, as long as you don't need to get anywhere in a hurry, and ever try to carry a lot of groceries on the metro? Better make sure you live within walking distance of a station and don't mind walking to it when it's below zero outside. Driving yourself? Prepare to sit in a parking lot (the state calls it I-95) anywhere within 2 hours +/- of rush hour. For one job, I lived 11 miles away (Marlborough to Maynard)... took me an hour each way taking the backroads. Also did the Waltham to Burlington route (slightly less distance, but using 95 for travel)... two hours each way during rush hour.

Just be aware what you're getting into...

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[soccer7707]

I am hoping to avoid rush hour traffic by working off hours. I am able to work a 7 - 3:30 day or a 9 to 5:30 day (or anywhere in between), so maybe that would alleviate some of the congestion worries. I have been able to find decent housing for sub-$1000 just outside the 495 loop. I'll keep researching however.

Thanks for the input, very very helpful!

 

[MacGyverS2000]

<chuckle> You're cutting it close with those times. Rush hour during the evening starts packing up the beltway by 4 and starts tailing off around 6:30-7. For the morning, if you're not off the road by 7, you're in a parking lot. I would arrive around 9:30-10 and stay until 6:30-7 most days to avoid the real heavy traffic.

Outside 495 significantly lowers housing costs, but you're going to be fighting with "local" traffic on the main roads trying to get onto 95. If you can give me a better idea of where you're going from/to, I can offer more specific options.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com