$65K to work at Anthropic? Debate ensues amid IPO wave

30 pointsposted a day ago
by gcheong
(missionlocal.org)

29 Comments

dpe82

a day ago

Seems roughly in line with UCSF's entry-level post-doc compensation: https://postdocs.ucsf.edu/pay-and-benefits

That too, of course, is too low to live comfortably on your own in SF.

skybrian

a day ago

While single and working at a startup back in the dot-com days, I shared an apartment in the Richmond district with two other people. It didn't seem all that unusual. I assume people still do that?

Seems like it would be okay temporarily until you get a raise and the stock options kick in.

Avicebron

a day ago

> Seems like it would be okay temporarily until you get a raise and the stock options kick in.

In practice it doesn't work like that, usually people who start with those kind of salaries get stuck as a permanent underclass in the Bay. When I was working in biotech out in SF plenty of people were getting like 45K and just expected to make it work. The places who were really on top of it would be pretty overt about making examples of people regularly to remind the staff that another guy or girl from India could be imported in tomorrow.

> While single and working at a startup back in the dot-com days

Unfortunately you don't have a good perspective, since you were sort of carried along and "made it" by dint of timing and location.

user

a day ago

[deleted]

ofjcihen

a day ago

These days when you accept salaries that low you’re effectively locking yourself into them for a good long time.

fragmede

a day ago

It's illegal in California for a prospective employer to ask about your previous salary.

AlotOfReading

a day ago

Hence the existence of services like The Work Number.

georgel

21 hours ago

Once I learned this exists, I blocked it from ever being requested. And I check my payroll settings to never report income.

user

a day ago

[deleted]

typs

a day ago

"Comfortably" varies by person. I know many people living fine on less in San Francisco.

oezi

21 hours ago

On first read of the headline I thought they are now offering a way to join Anthropic by paying them 65k USD. Sounds like a steal to get Anthropic on your resume!

kaizenite

a day ago

Even if the intention was for equity to be the main driver of compensation, how is someone supposed to survive with RSUs they don't even have yet.

RobRivera

18 hours ago

Its for a Research Associate in Biology.

pm90

a day ago

This was a really dumb move by Anthropic. They can clearly afford to pay more and attract the best talent. Why be so stingy? Focus on growth.

baranul

20 hours ago

The visa sponsorship angle has to be factored in as well, as they may believe a few desperate for a visa candidates would show up. Happens more than people are aware of.

A large percentage of companies will underpay people or even commit wage theft, if they can get away with it.

bigstrat2003

17 hours ago

Because they're evil. Anthropic only cares about making profits for Anthropic, everything else (including paying people fairly) is secondary.

Gee101

21 hours ago

I really didn't care what my first IT job paid I was just happy to have the opportunity.

chung8123

a day ago

Isn't the theory they won't be able to get anyone at that salary if it is too low?

WarmWash

a day ago

People add the value of being able to say they work at/worked for Anthropic.

You also will meet a ton of high value/highly connected individuals.

The salary could probably be $30k and they would still have to cut the application pile.

anitil

a day ago

I mis-read the title and thought someone was going to pay 65k to work at Anthropic. And ... That's a strange thing to do, but financially would probably pay off in the end

notfromhere

19 hours ago

And none of it will matter because everyone will know you’re a 64k a year peon.

Working for basically free for “prestige” is a sucker move

WarmWash

8 hours ago

I don't know anyone worth knowing who would judge on those grounds. Capable people judge on capability.

The idea that when I need to reach someone for help with something specific, that I know they are very capable of doing, that I would double check their past/current salary, is so laughably detached from reality.

fsuts

a day ago

How long do USA education visa holders have to find a job before they have to leave?

Visa sponsorship: We do sponsor visas! However, we aren't able to successfully sponsor visas for every role and every candidate. But if we make you an offer, we will make every reasonable effort to get you a visa, and we retain an immigration lawyer to help with this.

user

a day ago

[deleted]

AngryData

17 hours ago

If they don't that is just a bonus because then they can hire an H1B and threaten them with deportation if they don't lick boot.

DonsDiscountGas

a day ago

People will just do anything to avoid building more housing