Davis:
I see two possible senarios:
1.
SCJP +
SCJD +
SCJA + USA B.S. COLLEGE + 10yrs EXPERIENCE (with at least 2 yrs Java/EJB/JSP/UML)
You should be in the US$100K range for a senior level
Java programmer - to the US$150K range for an architect. These are base salary figures only - and do not include bonus or benefits.
2. SJCP + SCJD + SCJA + NO COLLEGE + 10 yrs EXPERIENCE (but all on mainframe side).
You should be in the US$80K range to US$100K range - and I am leaning towards the US$80K. But, after working with
J2EE for 2 years - your salary will increase another $20K - probably time to look for another company then. For some reason - it's tough to get more than a 10% yearly raise out of a company - and even that is pushing it.
If you fit into scenario #2 - but are only getting $65K/YR offers - grab one but don't kill yourself. Get the J2EE experience level up and then go for the major $$$.
An in the meantime, keep looking.
If you rally have all the above certifications + 2 or 3 years Java experience - I would say look into doing 6 to 9 month contract gigs. And as Raghav said - the $$ will take care of itself quite nicely.
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My reference points:
BS COMP SCI - with/without SCJP - pays US$45K to US$55K
MS COMP SCI - with/without SCJP - pays US$55K to US$65K
These were the figures I used for 1999 & 2000
This last 2 job searches (Oct '00 & Mar '01) - the offers were in the US$60 to US$70 range (I have MS Comp.Sci.) - except for Hewlett-Packard which utterly blew everyone off the charts.
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Time for my weekly rant:
The bottom line being - IT (C/C++/Java) salaries have not gone down from what I have seen. I do think there are Java/C/C++ jobs out there - but only if you have the education and experience.
And for the college kids reading on this board - you get your experience doing internships/etc.
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The people getting totally killed in this market - are the entry-level H1B folks still trying to come to USA - and the 18th month tech school kids. And if you were too lazy to grab an internship or other related computer work while in college - well tough!!!
John Coxey
(jpcoxey@aol.com)
[This message has been edited by John Coxey (edited July 06, 2001).]
[This message has been edited by John Coxey (edited July 06, 2001).]
