> The fact that I could walk out of college with zero experience and only a degree, and earn $20K more than that working only 9-5 in the same city seems unfair

> The fact that I could walk out of college with zero experience and only a degree, and earn $20K more than that working only 9-5 in the same city seems unfair (as a programmer). So what? With many other degrees, you can walk out six figures in debt and land a job at McDonalds. Is that fair? > But I have no idea how society decides salaries. In the open market, it's (supposed to be) supply and demand. If salaries are high, that's a signal that there's too few people in the profession. Programmers are privileged for now, but lots of people are joining in. Once supply outweighs demand, salaries will fall. Just wait for the next recession when the bullshit startup train will go off the rails.