If I were you I'd get the senior title and then look to change companies soon after. Realistically they are not going to give you a 50k+ raise when they bump your title, but another company will.
Where do you work? Country and metro area can make a BIG difference. (But yes, that is low for pretty much anywhere that pays at all competitively! For reference, I’m earning >$100k as an experienced-in-other-roles junior engineer. And money is not at all my primary motivator.)
You are not at all alone!! I’ve had loads of friends in similar situations. With remote work being so much more common these days (maybe you’re even practicing the skills in your current job?), the specific local market often matters less.
Unless there is something truly extraordinary at your current job, it’s okay to interview elsewhere, and it’s okay to leave. US companies will not be loyal to you, even if the individual people in them are very kind, and you do not owe them your loyalty.
$20/hour for interns 60k - 80k for juniors 80k - 100k for mid levels 100k - 120k for seniors 120k - 140k for staff / managers
I hear we're currently adjusting these bands, but the adjustments might only impact seniors and above. I think they'll be adjusted somewhere between 10% and 20% - but I don't really know. I think you should be looking at 110k - 130k. I don't believe the websites that say the average SE is making 180k or whatever.
It depends almost entirely on company and location, an intern at Google in California would pay 120k.
But for us, going from L4 (Basic SWE) to L5 (Senior) is about 70k - 90k TC difference (~30% of L4), so I expect your company would likely do a similar percentage. So maybe 110k to 115k?
Always ask for more and let them make it up to you in one time bonus if they can't afford the full raise.
If you don't get at least a 20% raise with that promotion I would leave. Maybe ask for $120k and see what you get. It's typically better to hop every few years unless you find a really good company
You'll probably only get an increase to a $100k salary since you'd be a new Senior SWE and therefore on the lower end of the pay band (assuming your Senior SWE band is $100k-$120k+). If you want to stay at the same company, then you'll maybe eventually hit $120k salary after some years of being a Senior SWE there.
As others have mentioned, the only way to get a massive salary/TC increase is to jump companies. You can work at a regular company and make $90-100k TC but at a MANGA or other company end up making $150k-$250k+ TC/salary for the same role/YOE. You could also leverage an outside offer to force your current company to push your salary/TC up but it's a gamble and could make you look like a flight risk.
Remember that other companies won't know your current salary/TC so you can shoot for the stars. When I jumped to another company last year, I had gotten a 70% increase in TC (not a MANGA so it was impressive).
I would say you should move around. Working on different systems with different people is more valued than sticking around. I also have 3 YOE and have hopped twice now and am making 150k for a non senior role
What's your total Comp: Salary/Bonus structure look like and area of the business that you work in (Sales Rep, Business Development, Product Management etc)?
If I were you I'd get the senior title and then look to change companies soon after. Realistically they are not going to give you a 50k+ raise when they bump your title, but another company will.
The unfortunate truth. Loyalty and comfort vs compensation
Where do you work? Country and metro area can make a BIG difference. (But yes, that is low for pretty much anywhere that pays at all competitively! For reference, I’m earning >$100k as an experienced-in-other-roles junior engineer. And money is not at all my primary motivator.)
You are not at all alone!! I’ve had loads of friends in similar situations. With remote work being so much more common these days (maybe you’re even practicing the skills in your current job?), the specific local market often matters less.
Unless there is something truly extraordinary at your current job, it’s okay to interview elsewhere, and it’s okay to leave. US companies will not be loyal to you, even if the individual people in them are very kind, and you do not owe them your loyalty.
It's not that far off in my experience.
Our salary bands are something like:
$20/hour for interns
60k - 80k for juniors
80k - 100k for mid levels
100k - 120k for seniors
120k - 140k for staff / managers
I hear we're currently adjusting these bands, but the adjustments might only impact seniors and above. I think they'll be adjusted somewhere between 10% and 20% - but I don't really know. I think you should be looking at 110k - 130k. I don't believe the websites that say the average SE is making 180k or whatever.
In the suburbs of Cook County, IL.
I make 84k with 0 yoe Georgia
It depends almost entirely on company and location, an intern at Google in California would pay 120k.
But for us, going from L4 (Basic SWE) to L5 (Senior) is about 70k - 90k TC difference (~30% of L4), so I expect your company would likely do a similar percentage. So maybe 110k to 115k?
Always ask for more and let them make it up to you in one time bonus if they can't afford the full raise.
SoCal is also one of the most expensive places in the world to live. Keep that in mind when comparing salaries
If you don't get at least a 20% raise with that promotion I would leave. Maybe ask for $120k and see what you get. It's typically better to hop every few years unless you find a really good company
I’m based in Los Angeles.
For mid, 100-160k. I would say.
Senior is like 140-250.
Range is broad, but it also depends on the company.
You'll probably only get an increase to a $100k salary since you'd be a new Senior SWE and therefore on the lower end of the pay band (assuming your Senior SWE band is $100k-$120k+). If you want to stay at the same company, then you'll maybe eventually hit $120k salary after some years of being a Senior SWE there.
As others have mentioned, the only way to get a massive salary/TC increase is to jump companies. You can work at a regular company and make $90-100k TC but at a MANGA or other company end up making $150k-$250k+ TC/salary for the same role/YOE. You could also leverage an outside offer to force your current company to push your salary/TC up but it's a gamble and could make you look like a flight risk.
Remember that other companies won't know your current salary/TC so you can shoot for the stars. When I jumped to another company last year, I had gotten a 70% increase in TC (not a MANGA so it was impressive).
I would say you should move around. Working on different systems with different people is more valued than sticking around. I also have 3 YOE and have hopped twice now and am making 150k for a non senior role