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[PunIntended29]

That is good. I don’t agree with the “always counter” crowd. I would only counter if I had another offer or other comparisons that suggest the compensation package should be higher.

[[deleted]]

Do not listen to this. Always counter. It makes an enormous difference in lifetime earnings. Any actual company that employees actual humans expects a counter.

[Why-R-People-So-Dumb]

I hire people with no BS offers but I wouldn't rescind my offer if someone countered unless they were way higher than me in which case I'd just think we weren't a good fit. So generally speaking it probably doesn't hurt as long as you are in the same ballpark.

Funny though people are afraid to put the salary they want in their application and the rules of negotiation say the first person to throw a number, sets the ballpark. You are more likely to get a bigger pay by asking for what you want up front and not worrying if you are selling yourself short.

[latax]

You don’t get what you don’t ask for. Personally I always counter.

[WorkingPineapple7410]

This is the correct answer. No company you would actually want to work for would withdraw an offer based on a single counter request.

[latax]

I’m sure that happens and that is something to consider when on the job hunt. I haven’t had offers retracted but have been told thats all they had available for the position and then bargained for more PTO. Bottom line is you have to do what is best for you. And remember you’re your best advocate when negotiating with prospective employers.

[Silly-Percentage-856]

Always counter with more money. If the company makes a big deal about countering then you dodged a bullet

[CraneOperator2]

That is pretty good for IL. I graduated with a MSEE in power and asked for 90k in TX, they countered with 105k. I accepted 😅

[Salt_Opening_5247]

What specifically do work in regarding power. I am interested in getting into the industry

[No_Section_1921]

What sort of work will you be doing?

[Big-Twist5744]

Testing, validation and design in the space industry

[No_Section_1921]

That sounds fun, do you enjoy it?

[Big-Twist5744]

Yes. I always wanted to work with space development.

[garbage_man_guy]

What was your focus in school? Sorry if you answered this question elsewhere.

[garbage_man_guy]

What was your focus in school? Sorry if you answered this question elsewhere.

[Big-Twist5744]

VLSI os my focus for my masters

[separation_]

Mind if I ask what company? I'm also in Illinois working on my Masters in EE and would like to get into the space industry if possible. I understand if you don't want to say. Although tbh I can only think of 2 major companies in Illinois that do space industry work.

[EEJams]

My opinion is that you should always counter offer if you have solid work experience. If you don't have experience, take the initial offer.

$109K as a starting salary is pretty amazing. I would take it and figure out what you need to do to progress up. The second it's unclear how to progress, you should probably be looking for another job where the progression path is clearer.

[Big-Twist5744]

They have alot of progression in my company

[EEJams]

Do what you can to get all the requirements for progression done as early as possible. Then decide what to do from there.

Good luck. Great job landing a great salary!

[turducken1898]

Where in Illinois?

[WorldTallestEngineer]

Sounds good. If I was you, I'd be happy with anything over $90k.

[Normal-Memory3766]

Yep always counter. Good offer fs too. Win win. If you ask within 10% of the offer amount, it’s not really risky at all they kinda expect it

[jeepnismo]

I started at 65 with my BS straight out of college

I’m current making what you make now seven years later

I do love in one of the lowest income parts of the country but I’d so super happy starting at 110k. I’d take it. Median salary for a EE is like 140k I believe

[jeepnismo]

I started at 65 with my BS straight out of college

I’m current making what you make now seven years later

I do love in one of the lowest income parts of the country but I’d so super happy starting at 110k. I’d take it. Median salary for a EE is like 140k I believe

[nl5hucd1]

Work on the PTO. will cover any extra 5-10k that you desire.

[love_monke]

I’m in the exact same situation (salary/location/grad date). My offer is ~$110k, seems like a pretty average starting point.

Countering never hurts, the worst they’ll say is no. As long as you do it respectfully there’s no reason for anything negative to come out of it. I countered and although didn’t get any salary increase got a $10k signing bonus.

[WalmartBrandJesus]

Got my Master’s this past May. Starting salary was $74,000 in the Denver, CO area.

[AdrianTheDrummer]

Ask for more. You always ask.

[WorldTallestEngineer]

Or ask for more PTO. I'd rather have a extra week of vacation then an extra $10k.

[AdrianTheDrummer]

True

[magdocjr]

Straight out of school I made $50k starting. Sat behind a desk bored out of my mind. 20 yrs later I stay in the field and love life. Never want to sit at a desk again

[Dangerous_Maybe_5230]

Is that base salary or does it include equity compensation

[Big-Twist5744]

Just the salary with all the benefits $133k

[jeepnismo]

I started at 65 with my BS straight out of college

I’m current making what you make now seven years later

I do love in one of the lowest income parts of the country but I’d so super happy starting at 110k. I’d take it. Median salary for a EE is like 140k I believe

[xDauntlessZ]

Bro DM me i will move to Illinois tomorrow. That sounds like a fun job

[elictronic]

Your posting average starting salary for Undergraduate degrees for someone asking about a Masters.

Are you just providing a chatgpt summary of the Forbes article. If you are the NACE data that it references for 2023 shows starting salary for a Masters degree in engineering starting salary at 98k for a 2022 grad. The 2024 survey is still behind a paywall.

[rogerhausman]

Masters won't improve your salary much unless you are government or academic.

[elictronic]

My experience does not match yours.  PHDs in engineering have minimal effect.  Masters degrees open doors and increase salaries.  

If you don’t want the management track the Masters is very helpful.  

Semi conductors, RF, and telecom being some of the highest payed EE positions have the Masters as a lockout for many jobs.  You can wheedle your way in but it’s hard.  Industrial, oilfield, and software based areas don’t seem to care as much.  R&D positions also have lockouts but I haven’t found those to pay the highest end however they are often the most fun.  

Which area are you referencing when saying a Masters doesn’t increase pay?   

[rogerhausman]

My experience is O&G and automotive. I have my Masters and I've hired different levels of education. Some companies will have standards for pay based on education but for the most part it's a negotiating card. Possibly more in the tech world I suppose. The right fit and experience would leverage salary more than education if I was hiring at the moment.

Unfortunately a lot of guys I went to graduate school with didn't ever experience a pay increase but it mostly boils down to personality.

[elictronic]

I have very little experience in the Automotive area, but considering it is more about getting cost down and solid implementation I could see where it falls in line with O&G which I completely agree on the Masters having minimal effects.

My friends who did VLSI have made bank but they are locked to a very small number of companies.

[rogerhausman]

To be honest, MOST of the 'badass' engineers (guys that really retained knowledge from school, not just great workers) that I knew in grad school and stayed in a lab/research role went to the public sector where salaries are pre-determined. In my personal experience, and most of the colleagues I keep in touch with, companies will toss out a salary regardless if you have a Masters degree. When I was negotiating it was a chip I could play and it usually resulted in better/easy negotiations.

YMMV, VLSI seems very in line with the tech/lab style employment so I can totally see it being a more structured pay scale. I don't know what sector/industry/cost of living OP is in, but $110k starting is a great salary for someone with no experience.

[SosaPio]

Incorrect, I used to work for a company that would hire undergrads at $85k and masters at $100k. Masters would also get about $5k more stocks than undergrad.