" I've certainly been paid more than my manager before, and when I've been in a tech management position I've paid more than my own salary for good candidates"

" I've certainly been paid more than my manager before, and when I've been in a tech management position I've paid more than my own salary for good candidates" - That's company specific though. The majority of companies don't. Programmers just aren't considered proper professionals in the UK. Graduates in other professions can get senior level programmer salaries for their first job.