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I'm a PHP dev, I didn't take part in StackOverflow survey and ~15 senior PHP devs that I know personally didn't take part either. Judging on such a small sample

by zmxz 4y ago

I'm a PHP dev, I didn't take part in StackOverflow survey and ~15 senior PHP devs that I know personally didn't take part either. Judging on such a small sample, I'd be guessing that it's safe to assume that survey is missing crucial data from people who do get paid well. I'm 22 years in the business, 16 years working at the same place. At this point, there's various bonuses next to salary. After so many years, it's the domain knowledge and ability to figure problems out what gets me paid. I don't have to work with the tool that someone tells me to use, I'm free to choose language/stack that I think is appropriate to solve the problem (deliver the project that's maintainable/useful for the customer). I also don't take part in any surveys which makes the accuracy of the data questionable. There's plenty of people like me, what I learned is that a lot of senior/capable devs don't use social networks or sites like SO. Approach the results of the survey very careful, false data is dangerous.

pwinnski 4y ago
That's how sampling works, not everybody writing Java, Go, or whatever else is filling out surveys, either. I know I haven't. I haven't looked recently, are there a lot of remote positions for US employees writing PHP for $200k+ base plus bonuses? I'm not even talking about the crazy-high comp from FAANG companies here, just Principal developer roles paying more than $200k base, with bonuses as well. My anecdote and your anecdote combined don't make data, of course, but I know my comp climbed pretty dramatically when I left PHP behind.
- zmxz 4y ago
  Our anecdotes don't make the data, of course. My point was that narrow thinking in terms of languages is inaccurate and cannot be relied upon when it comes to choices relating to career. Choosing the IT field because of compensation alone and then relying on top charts to choose the tech is what yields low quality. Ultimately, every dev with 2 decades of experience will know more than 1 language and learn that tribal language/framework wars aren't helping anyone. Getting things done and being of use is what our profession is. When one becomes useful, then the real career starts.
  - pwinnski 4y ago
    I agree with everything you said! I didn't choose to leave PHP for comp alone, I was surprised at the dramatic shift on comp after the fact. I certainly don't think I've said anything that suggests tribal warfare. PHP can make for some amazing productivity, for sure! I think I last coded in PHP about ten years ago, maybe a bit longer, but it definitely has its place in the market. I only note that you didn't answer my question, so I think I'm going to carry on with my assumption that there aren't a lot of PHP jobs in the US paying $200k+ base. Not that someone should choose a career path solely to pursue higher comp, of course.

by zmxz 4y ago

pwinnski 4y ago

That's how sampling works, not everybody writing Java, Go, or whatever else is filling out surveys, either. I know I haven't. I haven't looked recently, are there a lot of remote positions for US employees writing PHP for $200k+ base plus bonuses? I'm not even talking about the crazy-high comp from FAANG companies here, just Principal developer roles paying more than $200k base, with bonuses as well. My anecdote and your anecdote combined don't make data, of course, but I know my comp climbed pretty dramatically when I left PHP behind.

zmxz 4y ago
Our anecdotes don't make the data, of course. My point was that narrow thinking in terms of languages is inaccurate and cannot be relied upon when it comes to choices relating to career. Choosing the IT field because of compensation alone and then relying on top charts to choose the tech is what yields low quality. Ultimately, every dev with 2 decades of experience will know more than 1 language and learn that tribal language/framework wars aren't helping anyone. Getting things done and being of use is what our profession is. When one becomes useful, then the real career starts.
- pwinnski 4y ago
  I agree with everything you said! I didn't choose to leave PHP for comp alone, I was surprised at the dramatic shift on comp after the fact. I certainly don't think I've said anything that suggests tribal warfare. PHP can make for some amazing productivity, for sure! I think I last coded in PHP about ten years ago, maybe a bit longer, but it definitely has its place in the market. I only note that you didn't answer my question, so I think I'm going to carry on with my assumption that there aren't a lot of PHP jobs in the US paying $200k+ base. Not that someone should choose a career path solely to pursue higher comp, of course.