If you work remotely

[Anonymous]

Does your salary reflect the cost of living where you live or where your job is based?

I'm considering an opportunity at a small local company. Several of the employees work offsite (from home) and travel to DC on a periodic basis. I would love to negotiate a similar arrangement but am unsure how to approach salary negotiations. Do I ask for a DC-based salary even if I want to (eventually) move to a much lower cost of living area? Do I ask for a lower salary but negotiate remote working from the start?

I'd be happy to work locally for a while and then move, but I also know that with office space at a premium they have actually encouraged people to work from home.

[Anonymous]

My company views working from home as being entirely a benefit to the employee so my salary is commensurate with salaries where my company is based in a lower COL area. A friend's company bases the salary on the location of the employee. Similar companies in the same industry, totally different policies.

That said, if it were me in your shoes, I'd go for the DC salary then negotiate work from home when you're ready to move to the lower cost of living area. There is a much higher chance of you keeping the larger DC salary when you move. Unless a company has a set regional COL salary adjustment policy (which isn't that common) they aren't likely to reduce your salary to reflect the cheaper COL.

[Anonymous]

I am in DC and my salary is definitely on par for the area. I can move anywhere I want (including internationally) and my salary will stay the same.

[Anonymous]

Work for West Coast Company in DC. Salary is DC based.