Job offer salary help

[SuperMiguel]

So im a computer engineering student in Florida (USA), about 2 semesters to graduate... I got a co-op job as a Software Engineer, im working about 30 a week and making around $20 per hour..

When i stared here 2 month ago, they had a guy that was making i think 70k per year (but he was hired by one of those hiring agencies so he was making less because of that)

Now i was just asked if i wanted to get hired full time since they like what i do, and i match in the position, and fit in, etc

They basically asked me that i could either work full time, and go back as a co-op and probably pay me more as a co-op (30hours a week). I will take about 4 classes (3 and a lab) next semester, so i dont have a problem working 40h a week, and the rest of my degree is not that hard..

So my employer asked me how much do i want for a full time job, and how much do i want for a part time... Also asked me which way i wanted to go...

Now i have until monday to answer this question... But im thinking...

Full time 65k-70k (salary employee with benefits)
Part time $27/h (hourly employee no benefits)

So what do you guys think i should ask for Full time or part time if i decide to go that route

[JonnyBoats]

What are the benefits?

For example do they give you company paid health insurance? Paid vacation (how much)? and perhaps more importantly do they offer tuition reimbursement?

[SuperMiguel]

What are the benefits?

For example do they give you company paid health insurance? Paid vacation (how much)? and perhaps more importantly do they offer tuition reimbursement?

Yup Heath insurance, week paid vacation, week of sick and a week of personal time, also 401k

[JonnyBoats]

Well if you get two weeks a year off then that leaves 50 weeks at 40 hours/wk or 2,000 hours (I know, you also get paid holidays, but that is a nice round number.

If they pay you 65K per year that is $32.50 per hour worked + benefits.

compared to $27 per hour part time with no benefits.

Seems like a no brainer unless there is something you are not telling us, like perhaps they expect their full time employees to work 60 hours per week or something like that.

[tom66]

How much experience does the other guy have? If he's getting $70k and has a degree you wouldn't be looking as much as that if you don't have a degree yet, even if you are reasonably expected to do well.

[SuperMiguel]

He had experience but no degree, also the only difference is that part time it will take 2 semester to finish, full time will be 3 semesters. (My degree)

Btw that 70k got laid off for not performing well

Also I'm expected to work 40h per week

But then the real question is... 65k to much to little???

[StubbornGreek]

You can't expect the same salary. Never mind industry experience, etc. The heart of the matter is that your employer paid that much (the employee was most likely getting half) in order to protect their overhead. Included in that overhead are not only benefits, social security, etc but also unemployment considerations, leave, and heaps of other stuff.

Basically, I would say, ask for what you and what you believe your employer feel comfortable with. Asking for too much up front can cause him to look elsewhere but asking for too little, well that one's self-explanatory.

[SuperMiguel]

Exactly... What's too much or to litle

[poptones]

If you were making 20 an hour they were probably paying a minimum of 25 an hour for you.  If you hire to them directly as part time, now you lose whatever benefits you may have had through your coop and they save money. How long have you been there?

I'd say ask for 20 an hour or a bit more, but explain to them your value as a soon to be graduate who has already proven himself qualified for the job. Then make arrangements for them to help fund your college, maybe pay half your tuition for the next three semesters and a full time offer plus one time bonus at the end of those three semesters. .

[SuperMiguel]

If you were making 20 an hour they were probably paying a minimum of 25 an hour for you.  If you hire to them directly as part time, now you lose whatever benefits you may have had through your coop and they save money. How long have you been there?

I'd say ask for 20 an hour or a bit more, but explain to them your value as a soon to be graduate who has already proven himself qualified for the job. Then make arrangements for them to help fund your college, maybe pay half your tuition for the next three semesters and a full time offer plus one time bonus at the end of those three semesters. .

im making $21 per hour the moment,  also they are paying me directly not my university, so they are paying only 21 for me atm nothing to the university

[IanB]

There's a big difference between working as a student co-op before you have a degree, and working as a full time employee with a degree (a factor of 2 difference perhaps).

Don't get caught by accepting a full time position on a student salary and then getting low-balled after you graduate.

As a graduate engineer in a starting position, a full time salary in the range of $50k - $70k sounds reasonable. It may start out a little on the low side but you ought to expect rapid increments as you gain experience.

As a student, I don't think you would expect to be paid much more than about $25/h.

If I were you I would try to negotiate on the basis of an hourly rate until you graduate with the promise of a full time position at a commensurate salary on successful graduation.

On the hourly rate, the more they know you and like what you do, the more they should be willing to up the rate a little. I think $20/h sounds a little low if they like what you do and find your work valuable to them.

[poptones]

I'd take the 25-27 an hour part time and they pay half the school. that gives them a vested interest in you completing, and saves you that tuition and/or student loans. You don't want to become a wage slave while you're this close to finishing school.

[SuperMiguel]

Im on a 100% scholarship so that wont do me any good.. So what you guys are saying is that 70k is to much?

Whats the worth it can happen? if i ask for 70 he will just say ohh we cant go that high we can only do xx

[IanB]

When asking for a salary you should have two numbers in mind: the high end, what you would "like" to get, and a lower figure that is the lowest you will reasonably accept before declining. Hopefully you will end up agreeing on some figure in between.

Salaries vary so much between location, type of job, size and nature of company, industry and many other factors, that it is impossible to say if 70k is "too much" for a starting graduate or not. Some graduates in some situations may achieve that, many others may not. You will need to look at the local job market and comparable positions to get an idea of what is reasonable or not.

When it comes down to it, it's just a number. You have to figure out if it is enough after tax to meet your living requirements for rent, car, entertainment, savings, etc. What you are paid should be a comfort figure, not a prestige figure. You don't want to be taken advantage of, but at the same time so many things count about a job apart from salary, especially enjoyment and the working environment. If it's a good place to work and you like the people, that will compare well to some unknown place that you may hate.