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Subject:Re: Tech Writer Position in Folsom: Salary From:Denise Fritch <dfritch -at- INTELLICORP -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 2 Jun 1998 12:56:41 -0700
Mark,
As someone (a Sr. Tech Writer with 16+ years experience) from the South SF
Bay Area who interview last year (June through October) for positions in
the Sacramento-Fulsom area perhaps I can shed a bit of personal experience
on this debate.
Yes, the salary converter shows $41,000+ in Sacramento as equivalent to
$70,000 in the South SF Bay Area. However, I question the accuracy of that
conversion. I found that housing was lower in Sacramento ($900+ compared
with $1,700+) for home rentals. Gas prices are approximately $.04 to $.05 a
gallon less. However, food, clothing, and other standard costs, including
entertainment (cable TV or movies), are equivalent between Sacramento and
the South SF Bay Area.
I also found a number of surprising attitudes towards the roll of a tech
writer. One company wanted a full-time senior tech writer, yet mentioned
that the position would be "evaluated" in 90 days to see whether the
company really needed someone. That evaluation dealt with the position, not
the person. Salary was definite a concern too, with mid-$30s apparently
being more what those firms with whom I interview believing was an
appropriate salary.
Best,
Denise L. Fritch
At 12:25 PM 6/2/98 -0700, Mark Dempsey wrote:
>Laurel Nelson wrote:
>>
>> Mark Dempsey wrote:
>> "I'm guessing the salary would be in the mid 40's, but don't know for
>> certain. Frankly, I think the guy you'd be replacing is nuts to leave...but
>> then he didn't ask me."
>>
>> No offense, but he may be leaving because of the low pay. Mid-40's for
>> California isn't very much money. Come to think of it, mid-40's for a
>> senior technical writer isn't very good compensation for anyone who lives
>> in a large, metropolitan area, especially for areas on the East and West
>> coasts.
>>
>> Laurel
>
>Laurel,
>
>What you say would be true for coastal cities. We're still in
>California's
>Central Valley, though, where the cost of living is *much* lower. This
>salary equates to roughly $70K in San Francisco, for example (even
>though San Francisco is 90 minutes away, and Lake Tahoe is about 3 hours
>drive). That's why I included the link to the salary calculator in my
>original message. Believe me, the salary offered is competitive in
>Folsom.
>
>Regards,
>
>
>-- mailto:Mark -dot- Dempsey -at- osi -dot- com
>--
>-- Mark Dempsey
>-- Technical Publications
>-- Objective Systems Integrators
>-- 101 Blue Ravine Rd, Folsom, CA 95630
>-- 916.353.2400 x 4777
>
>
>
>
>
