The NYC to LI paycut...

How much less should I expect to get paid?

I just interviewed for a position in Farmingdale and they seem to have what I would like to do and STAFF

But the pay is like way, way lower than I would have expected...I mean, I would be paying less without the LIRR and subway, but how much less should I expect really without being offended on average.

As a freelancer I make a lot more money because well, I am a project to project freelancer...so I was never expecting those numbers.

I would be a senior level person at the company.

Re: The NYC to LI paycut...

good question! i guess it really depends on the job, the company, etc.

i got offered a job in NYC-for a big corporation (SONY) and then got offered a job in LI for a not-so-big corporation, and the one in LI offered me 4k more...so it really all depends!

Re: The NYC to LI paycut...

Re: The NYC to LI paycut...

In most industries the overall pay is not that significantly different b/w NYC and LI.

Also, you need to take the "Hidden Paycheck" into account - 401k matching; medical, leave, sick and vacation, other perks (ie childcare - onsite or contracted discounts), car allowance, commuting allowance, etc.

Also, how different are the two jobs? Do you need different education levels? Experience levels? All of this (plus much more) is factored into how much is a job is worth.

If the jobs are the same and benefits are equal, try negotiating a bit.

HTH. Good luck!

Re: The NYC to LI paycut...

What you need to take into considderation:

hours spent comuting
How much you save with regard to not having to use public transporation
Wear and tear on your car
Gas

When I accepted a position in NYC with the same company they gave me a $10K increase.

I have looked for positions similar to mine as I am considering not commuting anymore and I have found there to be approximately a 15-20K difference.

However, as pp mentioned, it all depends on the job, the company, and what benefits they are offering.

Re: The NYC to LI paycut...

the thing is that this is a newly created position. It's a small-ish company backed by a pretty large investor.

The duties would be pretty much the same as I am doing now, maybe more administrative and much less stressful than working at a major network (but I DO love this kind of stress)

The hours seems flexible and there is no allowances. HR would have to tell me about the vacation and stuff, but the CEO called to offer me the job this am and I need to get back to him.

I will be honest, it's a pretty significant cut from my freelance salary and even a cut from the sort of related interactive agency job I just left, but I am on the fence because I hate freelancing and it IS a huge commuting difference...

BUT, I also don't want to lose my city contacts.

I am just so torn.

Re: The NYC to LI paycut...

Well...let's see...not LI...but I took the NYC to NJ paycut. I make about $15-25k less than I could be making working in NYC, but then again I value not dealing with the trains, crowds and 12 hour days SO much more than the $$....I guess it all depends on what you are looking for. Make a pros / cons list

Re: The NYC to LI paycut...

I took a $30K paycut going to LI from the city.

My job is administrative so for me NYC pays the liveable wage.

I took it anyway because it was way less stress. I lasted 4 months and went back to the city.

Now if I did that I couldn't possibly take a $30K pay cut.

It all depends on what makes you happy as well.

You do need to find out the non-comp related perks.

Also, I believe as a freelancer the pay is much higher because you are not an employee and much of the liability rests on your shoulders not the hiring company. We pay our consultants huge amounts but we don't train them, give them benes or contribute to their future in any way. They have to keep their skills up, pay for benefits and contribute to their own retirement plans.

Re: The NYC to LI paycut...

Re: The NYC to LI paycut...

I am in engineering consulting, so maybe my analogies are off base, but when I left my NYC job to come to LI (the exact same job), I didn't go down in salary at all, but they didn't give me nearly as much as I had been asking. To me, the fact that I no longer had to commute via LIRR AND was saving nearly 3 hours a day in commuting was enough the seal the deal.

Good Luck with your decsion! Let us know what you decided!

Re: The NYC to LI paycut...

I am still on the fence with this...I have to call this guy asap...

Would it be horrible to take the job if I could get a bit more money (I couldn't start until February) and then see if a show gets picked up in the interim and then withdraw? Even writing that feels mean, but is it?

Edited to add that my commute isn't "horrible" right now...it's just under an hour door to door now that I am in Times Square again...and the LI job is 30 minutes driving.

Message edited 1/8/2009 12:25:52 PM.

Re: The NYC to LI paycut...

Re: The NYC to LI paycut...

I left my job in NYC for an LI job 3 months ago and took a $30k pay cut. But I also have a less senor position now then I used to. I got rid of my commute and a lot of job related stress.

ETA - I was told that after 90 days I would get a raise based on a review....I just had it and it went very well and they gave me a raise. So they kept true to their word.

Message edited 1/9/2009 9:13:35 PM.

Re: The NYC to LI paycut...

I think about doing this all the time. My commute stinks (1.5 hour each way) from Huntington to Brooklyn. I would probably make at least $30,000 less and wouldn't have all the responsibilities that i have now.

I guess u really just have to figure out if u can swing it w/ less $. Right now I couldn't, so I'll stay at my job. I luv what I do and also need the employment history bc we're looking at houses for the 1st time.

I would try to negotiate w/ them to see if u can get more $. It can't hurt to ask. I would just be honest w/ them and tell them your reasons for having a hard time making the decision.

Re: The NYC to LI paycut...

Posted by Tine73

I left my job in NYC for an LI job 3 months ago and took a $30k pay cut. But I also have a less senor position now then I used to. I got rid of my commute and a lot of job related stress.

ETA - I was told that after 90 days I would get a raise based on a review....I just had it and it went very well and they gave me a raise. So they kept true to their word.

Re: The NYC to LI paycut...

Posted by Tine73

I left my job in NYC for an LI job 3 months ago and took a $30k pay cut. But I also have a less senor position now then I used to. I got rid of my commute and a lot of job related stress.

ETA - I was told that after 90 days I would get a raise based on a review....I just had it and it went very well and they gave me a raise. So they kept true to their word.

Re: The NYC to LI paycut...

When I changed jobs to L.I. , I was fortunate enough to get the same salary. However my last company was cheap and I should have been making about $10K more. I am a legal secretary. I left NYC in April 05 and took a job 10 minutes from home. I also gave up the LIRR fare, (My job paid transit check for my subway), so I actually came out ahead. After 10 years of working in NYC, I was burnt out. You also have to remember that your time is $ too. I wouldn't do it for any LI salary which is less than $10K a year from what your are currently making. Best of luck.