Cost of Living differential
I live in Columbia, SC and am considering a job in either Charlotte, NC or Atlanta, Ga. The cost of living is much lower here in Columbia. I currently make $85k which is equivalent to about $95k in those cities. I would therefore be seeking at least $100k - $105k (10% to 15% increase) as fair compensation for the move. (I am an MBA in a very specialized field.) I would consider an offer of $95k to be a straight lateral move with no benefit to myself. Do you agree with this? (I am almost embarrassed to tell recruiters my current salary because one cannot compare Columbia to a large city.)
No it's not unreasonable and you're actually in a very good negotiating position, if necessary, since you're currently employed. Normally, it makes no sense to switch jobs unless you can increase your salary by AT LEAST 10% to 15%, so you're right on target with regard to your anticipated salary range, in my opinion. If you're asked what your salary is now, just be honest, but say something like, "My current salary is $85K, but my anticipated salary is negotiable within the $100K to $105K range." Frankly, I wouldn't switch jobs until I received an offer within that range. Even a lateral move, all other things being equal, usually makes no sense. There can be other factors that might make a lateral move a good one, but ordinarily I wouldn't recommend it. Hope this helps. Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert
Thanks for your feedback. I felt like I was being reasonable with my salary requirements but just wanted to check with the expert!
Jenny- Just some warning here. Good luck on your job search, but I just moved to Jacksonville, FL from the Atlanta area in March. One thing to consider about Atlanta is the traffic is hell. Personally, no one could pay me enough to work in downtown Atlanta. Please take that into consideration. | |
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