> At least these companies pay fair wages. All companies pay you the smallest amount that they think will keep you from leaving. Average wages being high at FA

> At least these companies pay fair wages. All companies pay you the smallest amount that they think will keep you from leaving. Average wages being high at FAANGs is mostly a function of employees of said companies desiring a high wage and having other opportunities. If you're making less, it's either because you're not good at negotiating/selling your skills or you don't actually have better opportunities. You can work on either or both of these things. (or you're actually happy with less and working on a mission to change the world. Good on you if so.) I have not worked at a FAANG and have not had problems finding fair pay and a sensible work-life balance. I have a house that's fully paid off (and I'm single, never married) in a second-tier city's suburb and about to purchase my first rental property and I've never hit the startup equity lottery. I don't even live at the first house; I put up a relative there. I rent an apartment in NY. Still under 40, started this career in my 30s. And yes, for a very long time, my job was making people click on ads. The pay was quite good.