It seems that junior developers are considered to be of relatively little value in most UK based jobs. The disparity seems to even out a bit as you gain experie

It seems that junior developers are considered to be of relatively little value in most UK based jobs. The disparity seems to even out a bit as you gain experience, especially if willing to freelance, but it's not uncommon to see junior positions being treated like minimum wage jobs. Is there simply more opportunity in the US or is this a matter of how inexperienced people are viewed? Perhaps there is more holdover from traditional professions where experience was paramount.