Average .NET salary?

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What are .NET programmers making now a days? No one has to answer or give
their exact salary, but I think it might be useful for those of us who think
they might be underpaid :) I know it varies a lot by where you live and how
much experience you have, so it will be hard to draw any conclusions.

For example, I graduated from college about a year ago, have about 2 years
experience with C# / ASP.NET, live in Cali, and I'm making around 45k. I also
have some good networking / IT skills, but right now I'm focusing on
programming right now.

Also, do you guys think Java developers get paid more? I'm just trying to
plan out my future carreer path in programming and would appreciate any
advice.

Thanks!
 
It might be hard to give an average salary... There are too many factors
involved, like the job level you're aspiring to (entry-level, senior
developer, team leader, manager, ...), etc. There are some salary surveys
out there that might be helpful. They usually charge you for the new ones,
but you can probably view the ones from last year or the year before for
free and get a rough idea - just Google "IT Salary Surveys". You can use
the salary surveys to check out salaries by location, job title, experience,
etc. and find estimates that matches your specifics.
 
Don't ever choose your job or your path by what pays the most! This is
the best advice I can give after 12 years in the biz.

Do the kind of work that you like doing in a good enviroment with
reasonable people and non-crazy management (oh and good holidays!).
Some people like big comanies, some like small. Some like to start
their own. You may already know what you like in a working environment,
or you may still be finding out.

VERY important point - languages + technology change with time!! So
don't get stuck on any one in particular. You can always find a job
that lets you bridge from where you are to where you want to be. Stay
flexible and pick companies that are keen to let you learn/train/cross
train!

Oh, and if you don't already, *really* understanding databases (at the
moment SQL Server or Oracle, but that can and will change) - from good
datbase design and setup, to efficient use and coding, is absolutely
invaluable for the quality of your work (and hence job options).

Being me, I'd say also don't get hung up on 'a career'. Life is too
interesting...

Kirsty
 
45k in cali with 2 years programming experience?
might as well donate it to charity. should be around 60 all things
considered.


--
Regards,
Alvin Bruney [Microsoft MVP ASP.NET]

[Shameless Author plug]
The Microsoft Office Web Components Black Book with .NET
Now Available @ http://www.lulu.com/owc
 
Stu said:
What are .NET programmers making now a days? No one has to answer or give
their exact salary, but I think it might be useful for those of us who think
they might be underpaid :) I know it varies a lot by where you live and how
much experience you have, so it will be hard to draw any conclusions.

For example, I graduated from college about a year ago, have about 2 years
experience with C# / ASP.NET, live in Cali, and I'm making around 45k. I also
have some good networking / IT skills, but right now I'm focusing on
programming right now.
Click to expand...

72 000 kunas (Croatian national valute)

2 years experience

that's around 12 400 $

:-))

(though, this is netto ammount with all the taxes already taken)
 
I have no clue, but I dropped out of college in 1978 to take a job for
$12,500. In two years I was earning $25,000 and I quit a job in 2002 where
I was making $143,000. Experience does count.

It makes sense in your early years to focus on picking up skills, whether
they are in business or programming, but later on you will really be a lot
more happy with a job where you are appreciated and comfortable. At this
point (going on 50 years old) I would take a job where I was superb and
appreciated that paid $60,000 versus a job where I was lousy and being paid
$120,000. We all need to make enough money to get by, but often this is
less than you might have guessed, all things considered. Your best shot for
financial happiness will come from getting your spending in line with what
you have to spend, and your best shot for professional happiness will come
from working in a job where you can do the job well, enjoy what you are
doing, and where the higher-ups see your ability and effort and reward you
in something like a general proportion to your contribution.

You could grow your $45K to $60K and be deeper in debt if you spend it all,
and this will be less fun than you think it will be. Being paid what you
are worth is just common sense (so this is NOT a stupid question), but pick
your jobs based on more than money. You will be happier with the right job,
regardless of salary.

Just my 2c.

Tad
 
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