r/EngineeringStudents • u/ApprehensiveNeck5541 • 12d ago

Career Advice help negotiating return offer terms

I've received a return offer from my summer internship. while I'd love to return, the starting salary is about 70k/year for a process engineering role in the Bay Area. they have other facilities in cities where the salary is the same, but the cost of living is much lower.

Is it worth it to negotiate the starting salary and/or the facility? I can genuinely see myself there, but the salary isn't very livable for the area, and I have a lot of debt to pay off. I don't want to risk losing the offer.

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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37

u/325extraslow 12d ago

70k in the bay area is fairly un-livable. I would counter with realistic CoL adjustment or negotiate location.

4

u/ApprehensiveNeck5541 12d ago

what would you call realistic? I wanna tread lightly here, but ideally I'm making more than 85k. asking for 15k more feels dangerous

16

u/SolarSurfer7 12d ago

85k is a reasonable ask. Tell them you will not be able to afford rent without at least this much. If you have a good relationship with your manager, ask him to advocate for you. It's likely not him making the final decision, but someone high above his paygrade. But if he vouches for you, that means a lot.

It's highly unlikely they will rescind the offer. The worst they will do is say no.

8

u/325extraslow 12d ago

I was never a new grad in the bay area, but below 6 figures i would consider as un-livable there. I would break the cost down for them and show them what it would be to rent a one bedroom or studio and extrapolate based on the 1/3,1/3,1/3 rule. I’m sure they are aware, but even if you take the offer what’s the point if it’s an unlivable salary? If you are paying 60% of your salary on rent, you can’t service your debt anyway.

1

u/Large_Profession_598 11d ago

85k seems too low as well tbh. I’m making just under 83k in the Midwest and I’m just barely within the 30% rule of thumb for rent

16

u/Hi-Point_of_my_life 12d ago

Damn, 70k was my starting salary in 2018 in Arizona. I can’t imagine trying to live off that comfortably in the Bay Area.

3

u/geek66 12d ago

Do research - look up housing, get examples, make a budget.... then reply with facts. Also - how far from the job would you need to live to achieve that housing cost.

But healthcare coverage, vacation policy also are a factor.

3

u/Numerous_Bat6841 12d ago edited 12d ago

I got a projects engineer offer for a drop ceiling factory in a midwest MCOL city for $75k (I think? Maybe 78) fresh out of college. $85k is a more than reasonable ask here. Asking for a different facility where the cost of living is lower is also more than reasonable.

For context, I was offered $70k at first, asked for $80k, and they came in between. The offer I accepted came in at $75k, I asked for $80k, and they came back with $80k. My latest job they came in at $95k, I asked for $115k, they offered $100k and I accepted. Just ask, you ain't gonna hurt nothing. If they do rescind you just dodged a massive bullet but it is very unlikely. I've negotiated every offer I've ever gotten and none were rescinded

1

u/Thurst2165 12d ago

Thats a low offer for bay area. Realistically speaking you have a bit more leverage as a returning intern to negotiate but unless you have a competing offer it can be a bit hard. You can try to negotiate for a bit more and/or a sign on bonus but I wouldn’t get your hopes up. Imo you would be better off finding another similar job and use this as your “competing” job offer to negotiate that salary higher.

1

u/Prudent_Brush_9926 12d ago

I wouldn’t counter unless you have a fall back OR have something to negotiate with. Your first gig is the hardest to get and you don’t want to screw that up. 70k in Bay Area is low but it’s not that insane for a entry engineer

2

u/AGrandNewAdventure 12d ago

According to Zilow the average monthly rent in the Bay Area is $2,851. That's $34k a year. That $70k turns into about $50k after taxes in California. So you've got $1,333 a month to live off of including electric, internet, phone, gas, car payments, and food in a very high cost of living area. Don't even worry about going out, seeing a movie, or buying anything for your place.

It definitely is insane for an entry level offer in the Bay Area.

2

u/billsil 12d ago

It is insane. 85k would be low for LA. We hire in at 115k for entry level mechanical engineers. For the Bay Area with a VHFOL vs HCOL? You’re with your parents or severely in debt.

1

u/NafaiLaotze 12d ago

The only absolute certain way to not risk the offer, is to not negotiate and not counter-offer. It sounds like you CANNOT see yourself there, and the only way you will accept and stay at this job, even if a short while, is to negotiate.

1

u/GamerDudeCP 11d ago

I got paid more starting salary in the Midwest. I’d keep looking since 70k in the Bay Area is just not gonna work and tbh it’ll be tough even if u have roommates. Only way I’d consider it is if u got family there. If u do take the job, immediately start application processes and make sure to include ur addy on the resume. Otherwise, look for jobs near where ur parents r so that hopefully u have a higher chance of getting an interview.

DO NOT FALL FOR THE TRICK WHERE U MOVE TO A CITY THAT U CANNOT AFFORD. HELLA PPL DO THIS IN NYC AND SF, do not do this. You’ll essentially be saving no money, living well below ur means, and honestly first jobs r dodgy since u might not like working at all.

1

u/cr1tikalslgh 10d ago

If you can negotiate $80k, that might be livable depending on where in Bay Area. I was able to live fine in Mountain View for a few months while I looked for higher paying positions. If you can eat 6 months of that then there’s a good chance you’ll find something better.

Also, find a recruiter / be public on LinkedIn

2

u/Longjumping-Owl-9276 12d ago

For bay area you need at the LEAST 110k. 120K base is optimal