Are entry-level tech salary expectations becoming unrealistic in the current market?

All answers to this question.

The reality is that we are seeing a massive market correction. During the 2021-2022 boom, salaries were hyper-inflated due to desperate hiring, but the 12.1% decline in 2023 was a wake-up call. By now, in early 2025, the market has stabilized, and many entry-level candidates are still basing their expectations on those peak pandemic numbers, which are no longer sustainable for most firms. Companies are now focusing on long-term value rather than a hiring frenzy. If you are expecting a massive six-figure starting salary without specialized skills like AI or DevOps, you might find the current offers seem "low," but they are actually closer to the pre-pandemic historical norms.

   Answered 2025-01-17 by Kimberly Vance

Kimberly, that's a fair assessment, but don't you think the cost of living has outpaced these "stabilized" salaries? If the base pay remains at 2019 levels while housing and inflation have soared, isn't it the companies whose expectations are unrealistic?

   Answered 2025-01-20 by Marcus Thorne

• Marcus, you’ve hit on the core of the frustration. While firms look at "market data" to set budgets, employees are looking at their monthly bills. This tension is why we’re seeing a shift toward remote work again; candidates are willing to accept lower headline salaries if it means they can live in a lower-cost area. The "unrealistic" tag goes both ways—companies expect high-level output for lower pay, and candidates expect lifestyle-subsidizing wages for entry-level skill sets.

     Commented 2025-01-23 by Jordan Rivers

Expectations aren't unrealistic if you have the right niche. I’ve seen AI and Cloud specialists still command premium rates, while generalist web dev roles are definitely seeing a major cooling off.

   Answered 2025-01-25 by Brian Foster

• I totally agree with Brian. The "unrealistic" part only applies to the generalists. If you can prove you save a company money through automation or AI integration, they will still open their wallets.

     Commented 2025-01-28 by Kimberly Vance