Starting Salary Expectations

[Starting Salary Offers to New College Grads Continue to Clim]Starting salary offers to new college graduates continue to climb, extending a trend seen throughout the 2005-06 academic year, according to a new salary report...+阅读

When considering a job offer, one thing you need to know is that geographic location and cost-of-living play a big part in determining how much salary you will be offered and how much you can afford to accept. Cost of living and salaries fluctuate among metropolitan, suburban, and rural areas. The starting salary for a sales job in a metropolitan area with a high cost-of-living will probably be significantly higher than the salary for the same job in an area with a low cost-of-living. Yet, the buying power of a salary in these locations may be similar.

Find a salary calculator online and you can pare the cost of living in a number of cities. The free NACE Salary Calculator will help you pinpoint an erage salary range for your field.

Supply and demand also play a major role in the amount of starting salary you will be offered. For example, if you're looking for a job in a field that has a healthy supply of candidates, you'll probably find stiff petition for jobs; so, your ability to negotiate salary will probably be limited. On the other hand, some fields are so hot right now that graduates in those areas will find they he their choice of employers, many of whom will offer top dollar. But, even within fields, salaries vary, and industry and type of employer also affect salary.

Finally, you're unique. Your specific qualities and qualifications will play a role in your ability to attract employers and negotiate a salary.

Below are starting salary ranges for selected disciplines. The ranges are provided to give you a rough idea of salary potential for a variety of majors, but keep in mind the factors that affect salary offersand remember your starting salary may be higher or lower than the figures reported here.