I used to recruit for several "large" firms including top-3 finance, a few smaller hedge funds, then the top eCommerce firms (sans Google). The finance hedge fu

I used to recruit for several "large" firms including top-3 finance, a few smaller hedge funds, then the top eCommerce firms (sans Google). The finance hedge funds had the most strict req's. Target school, CS degree (nothing else but CS), no Masters or higher degree, 0-2 years of experience etc. This was due to "taint" from over-education, etc. Otherwise, you needed a degree or some very solid accomplishments to be looked at for a top eCommerce / tech firm. Many financial firms require a 4 year degree or a sign-off from a Senior Manager. Most of my roles were $90-140,000 You only "hurt" your career if you wish to stay in a corporate climbing-the-ladder world. EG: progressively moving up in pay / title, non-degree's seem to have $5-$15,000 less salary in my experience. The most important long-term indicator of income was (my Google skills are failing me for citation) the first position. If you started low ($30-$35,000), in 10 years, you will of course still be behind your peers who started at $50-$60,000. The first position out of school also tended to keep you "stuck" in that track. But, these are "averages" and nothing is limiting but your own ambition and drive.