Starting salary Reaching the end of an extensive job interview, the HR person asked a young Engineer fresh out of college, ""And what starting salary were you looking for?"" The engineering graduate said, ""In the range of $100,000 - 125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package."" The HR person said, ""Well, what would you say to a package of 5 weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, a company matching retirement fund for 50% of your salary, and a company car leased everyā¦