COLA vs. Job Responsibilities

[spydah]

I was offered a job for the same amount that I make now, in an area with a lower cost of living. Here's the catch, this job will have more responsibilities than my current job.

So my question is, should I negotiate for a higher salary than what I am being offered because I will have more responsibilities? Or, since it is a lower COL area will that offset me staying at my current salary with more responsibilities?

What would you do?

[zibazinski]

Do you WANT to move and do you WANT more responsibility?

[spydah]

Snerdley: Yes, that is what I was thinking too! I'm going to ask for 13% more than they are offering me so that I can settle for 10% more, if it comes to that.

Zibanski: Yes, I want to move. I found out about the additional reposponsibility during the interview. That is what I am currently thinking about, but yes I would not mind more responsibility.

[cytoglycerine]

Feb 22, 2011 9:01:49 GMT -5 Lady Gaga Gaga Snerd said:

If you take more responsibility for the same or less money, you are only hurting yourself. I call it "I have a Title Syndrome" where they will give someone a Title, nameplate or office and no raise!

I let this happen to me at a company I used to work for...It's a terrible position to be in, and only breeds hatred and resentment. OP - Don't let it happen to you!

[Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ]

I was offered a job for the same amount that I make now, in an area with a lower cost of living. Here's the catch, this job will have more responsibilities than my current job.

Have you researched what your monthly living expense would be in the new area, vs. what they are now?

[formerexpat]

Have you researched the typical level of pay for the position / responsibilities you are looking to take in the area that this position is in?

I'd finish that research BEFORE asking for more money so you know what the range of income is for this position.

[spydah]

Thank you Snerdley and cytoglycerine for the feed back. My benefits will stay the same, if anything I would lose a few vacation days since I have to earh them with years of service.

@ SF: yes, I have crunched the numbers on my monthly living expenses. I use to live there and I have contacts there so that was an easy thing to do.

formerexpat: Great suggestion.

[spydah]

Let's talk numbers!

I make 100k and that is what they offered. How much or what percentage should I ask for in a raise?

The top end salary of this position is $145k.

[The J]

Feb 22, 2011 9:03:11 GMT -5 Lady Gaga Gaga Snerd said:

But, it isn't just salary. Don't forget the value of benefits. Maybe they can't give you more money, ut could give you more vacation time, etc. You should also make sure you negotiate moving expenses and there are other things as well to consider.

Except for the fact that his current title, in the new area, might pay less than what he's making. If I were to move to a LCOL area, and take a job similar to mine, I'd be looking at a big paycut. A more senior version of my job, in a LCOL area might pay about what I'm making now.

[formerexpat]

The top end salary of this position is $145k.

And this top end of the salary is according to the locality that you're looking to move to, not in your current area, right?

What is the median for that position in that area? Where does $100k fall into that spectrum?

Where does the total package, including benefits fall into that spectrum when using $100k salary?

Maybe $145k in salary is on the high end but the typical benefits in this new position is better, making the total compensation package they're offering you better or closer than the $45k surface difference.

$145k is also likely the compensation for someone in that position that is experienced in that position. [/size]

[spydah]

Not sure, if this should be a new thread but...
Do you know the name of a website where I can compare my salary? I use to know the name of a few of them but I can't seem to remember them at the moment.

[8 Bit WWBG]

...:::"I'd finish that research BEFORE asking for more money so you know what the range of income is for this position. ":::...

This. You may be getting lowballed, or you may be getting a REALLY good deal. You won't know without research.

[formerexpat]

Do you know the name of a website where I can compare my salary? I use to know the name of a few of them but I can't seem to remember them at the moment.

I generally use salary.com.

[Tiny]

My benefits will stay the same, if anything I would lose a few vacation days since I have to earh them with years of service.

If your job is not a "government" or "union" type job you may be able to negotiate vacation days if they won't give you a raise... well, ok, I guess some employers have some sort of "salary/benefit" grade level assigned to groups of employees - in which case you probably won't be able to negotiate time off... but atleast you'll have a good idea of what other people's salaries/benefits are...

Other non-pay but possibly valuable perks might be having the employer waive their 1 year wait (if they have that) before you can sign up for their 401(k) or other retirement stuff. If you need or are enrolled in school and if the classes pertain to your work you can take a stab at getting tuition re-imbursement.

[Miss Tequila]

You definitely need to compare the living expenses to know if you will come out ahead, behind or the same. I live in a LCOLA and I was amazed at how much I would have to make to live in a higher cost of living area to have the same lifestyle that I have now. In some places it was double or more and my favorite....to live in Manhattan I would have to pull in $400K! Of course, that's assuming that those salary calculators are correct.

[Deleted]

I live LCOLA and 100K is 'rich dude' territory around here... did you answer the question on whether 145K was max at your local or the new one?

[wvugurl26]

I know the New England thing's worn thin but can you sell your condo? I know they weren't moving at all there. Any improvement?

[spydah]

I was not ignoring you guys, I was negotiating. Results below.

Tiny: My time off was set in stone so I could not negotiate that. My benefits are pretty much the same as the ones in my current job.
Miss Tequila, trust me I crunched all the numbers as far as the living expenses. I use to live there so I know what they are, plus I have family and friends there so that was some what easy to do.
oped: $145k was on the high end of the national average. I have 6 years of experience but I'm not anywhere near the $145k level. In the area I'm moving to the max salary is $128k.
@wvu: RE sales have gone up 2-3% here, I don't remember what time frame was used (month-to-month comparison or quarter-to-quarter comparison to the previous year). But I recently heard there was a small increase in sales. Prices leveled out last year but they have gone up very little.

Conclusion: I asked for $113k and they came back with $110k plus a $10k signing bonus to cover my expenses. I'm pretty happy with the deal. I will give my job a 6 week notice (so if you know me in RL, don't say anything yet).

[daylight]

Well done and congrats!