Masters graduate salary expectation

jellie

Hi,

Sorry if this is the wrong place or just not allowed - couldnt find anything about it in the charter.

Basically im a bit confused about what my salary expectations should be & im hoping someone might be able to give me some idea of a reasonable amount i should be asking for. Im trying to apply for jobs so that i have something sorted for when i finish college but i keep getting how much id expect.

Im just finishing a masters in e-commerce (or will have in august), its looking like ill have a 2.1 *fingers crossed*. I have a 2.1 in my degree in computer science. Unfortunately, i dont have much relevant experience, worked with word, access, etc for a year, and an accounting package sage, but nothing much relevant to e-commerce. I have pretty good java, html; basic c, c++, javascript; learning php & mysql for a project im doing at the moment but pretty much have the hang of it now.

So can anyone tell me whats a reasonable salary expectation for an IT masters graduate?

stepbar

I can only go on my masters in business (strategic management). I started on 27,205 (Grad programme). However I got a 6% payrise after 6 months (perfomance related). Before the masters I spent 5 years in college doing IT (software systems) and had about a yr and a half IT experience. I have a 2.1 in everything as well. Years ago if you had a masters, you'd be on the big bucks.

I'd say something in the low 30's would be the norm.

leeroybrown

It depends...

I know it doesn't sound like a very helpful answer but it really does depend on the employer and job. Some employers pay someone with a masters qualification more. In some cases it might just enable you to get a job you otherwise couldn't. In a lot of others you'll just have to start on the same salary as a competent degree graduate and hope that your qualification will allow you to progress your career more quickly.

I would suggest looking up the kind of pay rates that go with the kind of jobs you are applying for and base your expectations on those. You're only worth as much as the job you are doing is.

damnyanks

It's rare you'll find someone paying more for a MSc student. I'm assuming your e-commerce ms was in DCU ? Look at it realisticly. Was the degree anything special? Someone that no undergrad could hack with a little effort. If the answer is No then why would you get any extra pay at all

Tom Dunne

damnyanks wrote:

It's rare you'll find someone paying more for a MSc student.

I'd completely agree. I've a first class honours MSc in computing and I'm paid the same as a person with no qualifications in my IT department.

Having said that, the money isn't bad for me, it's excellent for him. And for the inevitable questions as to why I don't move, I'm working on it.

Vokes

I have a similar MSc to you OP. From previous experience as a recent graduate, and to echo previous posters, I don't think you should expect it to give you a big bump in salary compared to BSc graduates.

Where it should be useful is that it will help you get your foot in the door in regards to getting interviews with more companies, at home and abroad, ahead of other BSc grad candidates.

fullerand

Hi,

My company (software telecomms) is currently hiring and I'm inclined to agree with the previous posts - a Masters doesn't automatically mean a higher salary, unless the research topic was very specific to the job in question. That said, sometimes doing a Masters is proof that a candidate has a certain drive.

OP (or anyone else suitable here), we are looking for grads with similar qualifications to yourself, for Systems Testing and C++ Developer roles in a Voice and Video over IP environment. We're based in Dublin city centre - PM me if you're interested and I'll give the low-down.

markpb

I did the Security & Forensics masters in DCU and got no better paid than the average CA graduate. It's possible the masters made the job easier to get (it was somewhat related) but very few companies pay extra for having one.

jellie

Thanks for the replies.

I understand what youre saying with regards to the masters, & part of the reason i did it was more to help me get a job rather than for a higher salary. but im still a bit lost about the salary? around 27k? lower? higher?

markpb

It's always very hard to guage these things. I got 25k coming out the MECT in 2004 so you'd probably get more than that. The lack of work experience will probably be more of a disadvantage than the masters is an advanage. (Not sure I'm making myself clear there.) Did you do intra / work placement during comp sci degree?

2rs

Graduates, whether degree or masters, will generally start off an the same money - 25 to 30K per annum.

Concentrate more on the experience you want to gain as that is where you will earn your money in years to come.

damnyanks

Also the salary will differ quite a lot depending on the industry you are going into. If you're going into the milkrounds you will almost certainly not get anything extra.

You might potentially be capable of getting a straight hire job which wont have a strict salary upon joining (As in all grad's get the same pay, you'd be a once off)

leeroybrown

sar84 wrote:

but im still a bit lost about the salary?

It's very hard to give an indication. As damnyanks points out the salary differs quite a bit depending on the industry. If for example you said that you had applied for J2EE development job with a big financial in Dublin there would be people here who would might be able to suggest an approximate salary. If you were applying for a PHP / MySQL development job with a smaller web development company then the suggestion might be completely different.

hurler80

It does really depend on employer. If you get a job on a formal grad program with an international or big Irish financial, telecom or consultancy firm you will be getting a fixed salary (whether degree or masters) and should be in range 28 - 32 k I reckon. I did a IT grad program in 2004 with international bank in Dublin & started on 27k for first 6 months. After 6 months (probationary period) went up 1.5 k and then went to 33k after completing the full year. After that you are like every other employee and rated on performance. BTW I started this programme with degree and MSc in IT also.

If you join a smaller firm I'm not so sure - may be less or more. Depends on whether your masters is exactly what they are lookin for or not.

Either way I would wouldn't let 2/3k difference in salary bother u at start. Its all about getting that 2-3 yrs experience initially and then you can take your career to next level and increase u salary along with it. Initially get your foot in the door and some good experience. The money always follows suit after that (especially when you move job role or company after a few years)