Thread regarding Cisco Systems Inc. layoffs

What I can tell you is that a connection in the Bay Area is saying that he did read an article that lot of people in IT are now struggling in the region given salaries are stagnated. The truth is that few companies can pay compensation +between $300K-$400K for technical folks to make up for housing prices increase, food price inflation etc.

It's very true that companies can't/won't pay the wages necessary for IT people to live/work in high cost of living areas like the Bay area in CA, the D.C. metroplex in Virginia & Maryland, or in NYC.

Back in 2003, I interviewed and was offered an IT job with the Red Cross at their headquarters in Washington D.C. The offered wages was about $73K. I needed $150K or more to live within a decent commuting distance/time as previously worked a short-term gig there for 90 days w/ a 3 mile commute that took an hr to drive. I ended up walking it most days in the same hour. But at $73K, I would have had to live 60 mi away and drive a multiple hour commute. There's no way I was going to add 4-5 hrs time to my work day for no more pay than I was currently making in Richmond, VA. The gas and wear & tear on my vehicle would have eaten up the ~$3K raise and not provided me any compensation for time away from my family. Back in those days, Internet was still dial-up for the most part, so working from home was not yet a thing.

Anyway, how is the exploding cost of living in certain areas got to do with salary stagnation and Cisco. Most all wages have stagnated. Just look at minimum wages. They haven't gone up since 2009! People who don't work in a tech field in Raleigh have to work 2 or more jobs and live with room mates or spouses who also work 1 or more jobs just to afford small apartments as houses are way more expensive than the average wage here justifies.

"Correct, on paper that was 15% bonus, but except in 2 occasion"
Let me caveat the statement as there are scenarios where you could get more. Your target bonus would not have been 20%. If the company meets numbers and they fund the pool at 100% and you are just doing your job it would be 15%. If you are doing better than others and it is funded better because the company is doing better then you could be getting more, ie 20%. Others should know that they bonuses are just that - a bonus. They aren't guaranteed, they could be less, there may not be one. I'll also add that recruiters outside of cisco (and inside) are sales people and from a $ standpoint will tell you almost anything.

The gentleman who “can guarantee you did not get 20% bonus at G11”. I will not disclose the region I was hired. Correct, on paper that was 15% bonus, but except in 2 occasions, I ended up receiving 20% or more in bonus. In any of the regions you listed, the truth is that recruiters (outside of Cisco) told me back in 2008: “salaries for experienced network engineers with a CCIE was $150K base”. That is so true that I recall that on the Cisco website itself at certain point a salary survey result was listed showing that that average salary for those with a CCIE was about $120K. My point is, if people are making $150K now, it is like same salary from 10 years ago!

What I can tell you is that a connection in the Bay Area is saying that he did read an article that lot of people in IT are now struggling in the region given salaries are stagnated. The truth is that few companies can pay compensation +between $300K-$400K for technical folks to make up for housing prices increase, food price inflation etc.

$140k in 2013 at GR10? If anyone at GR10 made $140k back then, they would have been WAY over the midpoint....probably close to the top range of GR10. $140k was close to the midpoint for a GR11.

: @OP+1bPcyzJs
I'll guarantee you didn't get a 20% bonus at a GR11. Also, unless you are in NY, SJC, or SEA you probably didn't come in at $140k. Bonuses for GR10/11 is 15%, GR12 25%. The bonus is not negotiable. Expecting a COLA is hilarious since it isn't a union shop. What they do is do a salary analysis of the areas and then come up with a market reference range (MRR). If salaries are low in the area then don't expect a ton more. If you are brought in at the top of a range then you have little room for salary growth at that grade so you always need to be working to be promote able or you need to be looking for another job. Then that part about what many people don't realize is what things cost or how they have increased. Sorry, but that is not one of the smarter comments I've seen here. Anyone that pays bills realizes this.

So what’s the rate for grade 10 in apjc?

In my region, public school teachers on their 30s are making about $110k to
$120k/year. Then I was having lunch with 4 Cisco employees and they suggested they are riding buses since they barely can afford a car. Those are older people in their late 40s and 50s. I am not going to say that is only a problem at Cisco though. A serious salary stagnation in IT in the last 10 years.

“Vote with your feet if you don't like the dog food being served.”

Amen to that comment! I did just that and my career (and bank account) thanks me every day.

Cisco salaries did not keep up with inflation below the Director level. Leave for a company that can generate revenue growth without acquiring companies.

There is so much stagnation at Cisco and there is no real way to catch up unless you leave. I left in the last few months after many years and the benefits, work environment, and money is better other places. Vote with your feet if you don't like the dog food being served.

What can you expect from a dinosaur?