text: salary for a new ph.d (computer science) in the bay area? i'll be completing a ph.d in computer science (specifically, information retrieval and content analysis) and am looking for jobs in the bay area in this domain, e.g., google/yahoo/msft/ibm. i have a decent publication track, a few years of sw engineering experience prior to grad school, and good references.  what is the payment range i am looking at? what are reasonable benefits to expect?  thanks!! i have a bachelors in business administration.  i am averaging $9.00 an hour.  i hold two licenses and went through one downsizing.  truck drivers without a high school diploma are making $40,000 a year +.  you should be commanding $100,000 a year.  will you get it?  i don't know.  these days, getting a job depends on many factors: 1) who do you know?  2.) what is your experience, and 3.) can you perform/produce results?  education is somewhere in this mix.  if you think your education is going to put you in the multi-millionaire category all by itself, you might be in for an awakening..  best wishes.