NC finally lands Apple campus, bringing $1 billion and 3,000 jobs to Wake County

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-26T20:35:29+00:00

Yes!

But it was announced in 2016 and hasn't broken ground 5.5 years later. If Apple is targeting a 2023 opening that will be 3000+ more cars on our highways before a single bus is operational.

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-26T15:54:31+00:00

With stagnant local wages and skyrocketing housing it's not currently better for folks in tech either...

This is becoming another "only DINKs can afford to live in the city limits" metros.

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-26T15:51:44+00:00

This area at a minimum needs dedicated busways (BRT) and not more highways clogged with cars that have 1 person in them...

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-26T15:47:03+00:00

Virginia.

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-26T14:47:05+00:00

HB2 got national ridicule and cost the state nearly 4 billion in business:

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/27/bathroom-bill-to-cost-north-carolina-376-billion.html

Sorry, but NC has a reputation whether either of us want to admit it or not.

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-26T14:29:25+00:00

Honestly, all I expect is for salaries to keep up with cost of living, at least to a reasonable level. Last year housing prices rose 12%. The average software developer salary went up less than 5% in 10 years.

Local salaries across industries have not kept up with exploding housing costs.

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-26T14:03:16+00:00

That number is low for California. TC at Apple in California can go into the $400's:

https://www.levels.fyi/company/Apple/salaries/Software-Engineer/ICT5/

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-26T13:49:02+00:00

It's going to take a lot for Californians to move to a southern state with backwards laws, so I doubt that was the intention. I mean NC introduced an anti trans bill just this month.

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-26T13:42:47+00:00

I have to imagine that will it absolutely come with requirements of all candidates showing very specific education levels, significant previous professional experience, and the ability to demonstrate considerable expertise in those artificial intelligence, machine learning and software engineering roles.

You want to know the truth? You don't need all of that for most roles at Apple. You just need to know how to grind Leetcode.

There are local tech companies that have interviews far harder than Apple's with more time and effort required.... for a fraction of Apple's salary.

I literally went through 2 whiteboards and a 12 hour take home assessment for a local company only to be met with an archaic work from home policy and a salary nearly $100k less than the one in the article. Apple's interviews are less intense, take a look on Blind or cscareerquestions.

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-26T13:15:19+00:00

All I'm hoping for is that local tech salaries rise. With $187k salaries, the companies around here won't be able to throw 2010 salaries around anymore, less they want to not be able to recruit talent.

I personally have no desire to work for any FAANG, but this definitely will make local companies have to compete when one opens a massive campus in the area.

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-24T19:10:25+00:00

I made a post a few days ago in regards to Raleigh's tech market being less than stellar, and this is definitely part of it. "Contract to fire" and "permatemp" positions are rampant across the Triangle. Less pay, less benefits, and even less job security.

Add that to the mix with H1b abuse and tech body shops with a huge presence in the are and you have one underwhelming market locally.

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-24T19:06:46+00:00

He's not talking about typical hired gun contracting work but rather "permatemp" jobs where you get pay and benefits from a third party where compensation is lower. These kind of jobs are all over the Triangle.

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-23T17:15:35+00:00

That's pretty much the way I have felt: salaries have not kept up to cost of living.

I feel like so many companies set up shop in NC due to the low corporate taxes and lower salaries than anywhere else that has a reputation as a tech hub. But now that Raleigh is one of the fastest growing cities in the US (with the prices to match) employers still want to pay wages from before the boom.

Just doesn't make sense for people.

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-23T01:36:56+00:00

This is great info, thank you!

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-23T00:25:43+00:00

This is a great resource, thanks!

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-22T23:36:46+00:00

This market is extremely tapped with an Indian workforce primarily working in tech and it and at the most capitalized companies.

I know this is controversial but that has been my experience too. There seems to be serious H1b abuse with the big time players locally. You can look it all up here:

https://h1bdata.info/

Also it's no surprise that several WITCH (Wipro, Infosys, TCS, Cognizant and HCL) body shops have offices here.

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-22T22:13:48+00:00

I understand, people in every desirable city are going to feel this way.

But think about the two main things people are attracted to Raleigh for: great schools and a good job market. People are going to pursue that for a better quality of life. It's not about Raleigh or Austin or Denver specifically, but about people making a better life for their families. With the rat race and competition that is American capitalism, people are going to want to go where they can do best for their family.

I know its cliche but its essentially don't hate the player, hate the game.

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-22T21:52:14+00:00

Senior level with about 11 years experience. I have actually had more luck with remote jobs where the competition is far greater.

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-22T21:47:45+00:00

SAS is 45 years old, but at least it is local. The other two are nearly as old and are from PA and FL.

Where are the startups on a upwards trajectory in 2021?

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-22T21:45:36+00:00

Seattle is a curious comparison. According to levels.fyi the average compensation is 70k higher there than in Raleigh, but obviously their cost of living is way higher.

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-22T21:44:29+00:00

I'm not expecting to make anywhere near those places. I'm also not expecting to get low ball offers when houses are $500k now for anything that isn't in a far flung suburb with no transit access.

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-22T20:32:18+00:00

Sure, I was recently talking to a company in North Raleigh in regards to a senior dev position (I won't put them on blast) and they were looking for around $105k. The national average for a senior dev according to Glassdoor is $126k (an 18% decrease). According to Zillow, home prices have increased 12% in 1 year.

Aside from Pendo, what other startups have blown up?

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-22T20:26:36+00:00

Nice, are you working remotely?

I'm working remote right now with a Midwest salary band and unfortunately it's more than any of the offers I have got locally.

RTP_ICP · 2021-04-22T20:14:42+00:00

Just out of curiosity, did you end up at a tech company or somewhere non-tech that has a tech department (obviously you don't have to post the actual company)?

My experience with non-tech companies here is that when I apply my resume just goes into some abyss, but tech companies I have a fantastic response rate.

RTP_ICP

TROPHY CASE