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Programmers are paid well because vc money is cheap and available and selling ads and collecting data is considered important. If there’s enough of a downturn
by jleyank 4y ago
Programmers are paid well because vc money is cheap and available and selling ads and collecting data is considered important. If there’s enough of a downturn to torpedo one or both of these conditions, salaries will collapse. Or, if they truly make an effort to use remote work they’ll go down on geographic cost arguments.
As the original article states, things are really good. Layoffs are approaching but they’re not assumed to be a concern. Saving some bucks for a rainy day is prudent, or just phrase it “save so you can retire at 40”.
There’s a whole world of programming out there that handles niche markets or odd geographic areas and doesn’t make the big bucks. Keep that in mind. And lots and lots of people in cheaper areas than SV. And maybe ai or other programming assist will eat some of your lunch?
- skippyboxedhero 4y agoA large component of pay was also "funny money" shares. You have all these companies that say they are free-cash flow "profitable" and they are still losing hundreds of millions in GAAP terms a quarter. That system relies on employees taking non-cash remuneration, and when share prices collapse it all falls apart. Devs are uniquely unable to understand the system they are part of because the system has had no basis in economic reality. Most of the public companies, the best of the best that VCs managed to cash out through, are going to fail (without significant changes to how they do business). And devs carry on like they are a Hollywood actor: I don't get out of bed for less than $500k/year. No-one is profitable paying the big salaries of 2021. The majority of the big salaries were due to extremely inept management at tech companies.