This is the crux imo, higher degrees somehow justifying higher salary and positions to normal business types. I often tell people I can tell when someone can do

This is the crux imo, higher degrees somehow justifying higher salary and positions to normal business types. I often tell people I can tell when someone can do this job by talking to them for a few minutes and asking a few questions, formal education or not. This career is very unique in that regard. But typical large company HR will use the lack of degree or lower degree like an AS as justification to pay less or deny promotion. I've found advanced degrees are not an indicator of programming ability, and maybe even negative correlation.