DoorDash vs Apple vs Amazon: 2024 Hardware Engineer Salary and Relocation Realities
A current Amazon L6 hardware development engineer in Seattle is weighing offers from DoorDash and Apple, highlighting the complexities of tech salaries and relocation costs. DoorDash offers the highest total compensation at $515K but is based in the Bay Area, raising concerns about high living expenses and state taxes. Apple provides better benefits and job stability with a total compensation of around $430K, also in the Bay Area. Amazon's offer, though lower at $450K, keeps the engineer in Seattle, avoiding costly relocation. These offers illuminate critical trade-offs between salary, stability, and cost of living for hardware engineers considering Bay Area tech relocation. The discussion reflects broader tech industry challenges in balancing competitive pay with quality of life.
Commenters are sharply divided: some warn against DoorDash due to reported poor work-life balance and an unstable robotics division, while others note the hardware department might be separate and potentially less risky. Apple is seen as more stable but possibly less exciting and lower paying. Amazon's offer is favored by some for stability and lifestyle, but others question job satisfaction. The sentiment underscores caution about DoorDash despite lucrative pay, and skepticism about Apple’s growth and compensation structure.
This post touches on wider tech industry issues such as the challenges of relocation to the Bay Area, including high taxes and living costs, and the impact of these factors on hardware engineer compensation decisions. It also highlights the uncertainty faced by employees around emerging tech divisions like robotics and the trade-offs between salary, job stability, and work-life balance. These dynamics are crucial amid ongoing tech layoffs and shifting hiring priorities in competitive markets.
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