4 ms·

The Salary chart is interesting, both because of how US developers earn more than other Western countries, but mainly how a median developer with 20 years exper

by rb808 9y ago

The Salary chart is interesting, both because of how US developers earn more than other Western countries, but mainly how a median developer with 20 years experience earns 60% more than a first job developer. I wonder how many other professions have that low a rate of pay increase - or maybe its just grads are overpaid, not sure.

timClicks 9y ago
I certainly haven't reached 20 years of developer experience, but I wonder if many (most?) individuals with that level of experience will move up the hierarchy rather than staying focused on software. Those managerial or client-oriented/sales/"solutions architect" roles pay more.
afpx 9y ago
Yeah, the numbers are weird. I'm in SF, full-stack, with 20+ years of experience (and leading several successful exits), but I can't seem to get a job making as much as a mid-career developer (according to that calculator). To be fair though, I don't have time or patience for long interview processes. But, on the other hand, a lot of times I get rejected just after the phone screen (with no feedback, of course).
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
- mahyarm 9y ago
  I could coach you if you want, I'm also in SF. I do a lot of those interviews from the other side. You can get my contact info in my user info page.
acchow 9y ago
I think a developer after 3-5 years experience actually makes more than double a new grad.
fatnoah 9y ago
I think some of this is just compression over time. I'm at exactly 20 years experience, and I currently make 500% what I made in my first year. That's more of a statement about salaries in 1997 than salaries now, though. I think the low-end has moved dramatically upwards, while the top-end hasn't increased as quickly.
- wainstead 9y ago
  But are you adjusting for inflation or comparing 1997 dollars to 2017 dollars? (which you can do here:) https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl

by rb808 9y ago

timClicks 9y ago

I certainly haven't reached 20 years of developer experience, but I wonder if many (most?) individuals with that level of experience will move up the hierarchy rather than staying focused on software. Those managerial or client-oriented/sales/"solutions architect" roles pay more.

afpx 9y ago

Yeah, the numbers are weird. I'm in SF, full-stack, with 20+ years of experience (and leading several successful exits), but I can't seem to get a job making as much as a mid-career developer (according to that calculator). To be fair though, I don't have time or patience for long interview processes. But, on the other hand, a lot of times I get rejected just after the phone screen (with no feedback, of course).

deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
mahyarm 9y ago
I could coach you if you want, I'm also in SF. I do a lot of those interviews from the other side. You can get my contact info in my user info page.

acchow 9y ago

I think a developer after 3-5 years experience actually makes more than double a new grad.

fatnoah 9y ago

I think some of this is just compression over time. I'm at exactly 20 years experience, and I currently make 500% what I made in my first year. That's more of a statement about salaries in 1997 than salaries now, though. I think the low-end has moved dramatically upwards, while the top-end hasn't increased as quickly.

wainstead 9y ago
But are you adjusting for inflation or comparing 1997 dollars to 2017 dollars? (which you can do here:) https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl