Depending on where you are on the midwest (e.g. if you’re in Moline working for Deere) 100k is pretty close to the 250 your friend gets in SV. I’m pretty early in my career too but I started out in a small town in the Midwest too (not originally from there) and it was very dreary. Hard to make friends and hard to date since people get married very early in those communities. Just saying I relate but I wouldn’t sweat the comp difference.
If your main goal is changing location try applying for jobs at your current company. You’ll have an edge over other applicants and your boss will probably help if you ask to connect you with people. Just my two cents. Once you’re relocated it’ll be easier to find opportunities outside your current company in your new city.
I think we’d need more details on your career goals to offer any more advice than that. If a startup is your goal, can you say what industry or niche? There’s a lot of opportunities in hardware, especially in B2B. Personally I’m jealous of you hardware guys
If your main goal is changing location try applying for jobs at your current company. You’ll have an edge over other applicants and your boss will probably help if you ask to connect you with people. Just my two cents. Once you’re relocated it’ll be easier to find opportunities outside your current company in your new city.
I think we’d need more details on your career goals to offer any more advice than that. If a startup is your goal, can you say what industry or niche? There’s a lot of opportunities in hardware, especially in B2B. Personally I’m jealous of you hardware guys