Ask HN: How much do you make at Facebook/Amazon/Apple/Netflix/Google/Microsoft? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: How much do you make at Facebook/Amazon/Apple/Netflix/Google/Microsoft?

#81

Post by doktrin » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 3:21 PM UTC

busterarm wrote: post #69

doktrin wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I make around 60k usd in a Scandinavian startup as a programmer with experience I'm still trying to wrap my head around why European developers earn significantly less than virtually all their American counterparts, even in high cost of living areas (like Scandinavia) I do understand you specified you work for a startup, but even at one of the many established regional consultancies dev salaries tend to cap out at…

It's not universal. My friend started off his career in Denmark making pretty standard US tech salaries. The tax rates are much higher there too.

> It's not universal. My friend started off his career in Denmark making pretty standard US tech salaries.

That's fair, and I'm aware there are always outliers. For added reference, starting tech salaries in Oslo, Norway are around $50k (cost of living comparable to Seattle or DC). Perhaps more importantly, there's much less upward potential - senior devs rarely earn 6 figures USD unless they're freelancing.

Re: Ask HN: How much do you make at Facebook/Amazon/Apple/Netflix/Google/Microsoft?

#82

Post by charlesdm » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 3:21 PM UTC

fnbr wrote: post #22

charlesdm wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The people making a lot above average (because they negotiated well) generally don't want to share this publicly, because others will realise they are then being underpaid. As an example: would you tell a colleague "on the same level" as you that you're making $300k, when he is making $50 or $100k? That's either 1) an excellent way to get fired, because now everyone wants $300k, or 2) an excellent way to piss off you…

It is technically illegal to fire you for discussing this, at least in the US. I know at Google there's supposedly a big internal salary sharing doc started by Erica Baker, and she wasn't fired for it (although her manager was supposedly quite unhappy).

Technically, yes. But you might also technically be passed over for promotion, or getting a raise. :)

Re: Ask HN: How much do you make at Facebook/Amazon/Apple/Netflix/Google/Microsoft?

#83

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 3:23 PM UTC

4k wrote: post #5

mcherm wrote: post #2

I don't feel like discussing my salary publicly. Have you considered checking glassdoor.com or other similar sources?

I have. Like I said in the other comment, glassdoor (and similar sites) lump together salaries that were collected for as long as the site exists, while in reality the salaries have changed a lot over last 10 years. I respect your decision not wanting to discuss your salary publicly. May I suggest a throwaway? :)

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: How much do you make at Facebook/Amazon/Apple/Netflix/Google/Microsoft?

#84

Post by gadders » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 3:23 PM UTC

desarun wrote: post #72

gadders wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you contract in an Investment Bank in London, those day rates would be on the low side.

True. Got a friend who basically works as a contractor CTO. His day rate is around 2k. Which is insane.

Yeah. Programme managers can get around £1k+/day.

A good dev would be £700/day and up, depending on experience, business line, hotness of their tech skills etc.

Re: Ask HN: How much do you make at Facebook/Amazon/Apple/Netflix/Google/Microsoft?

#85

Post by rowyourboat » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 3:24 PM UTC

doktrin wrote: post #48

Viker wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why do people feel this way about their salaries. Always seemed to me that in the grand tottal we will be better off if we did discuss our salaries publicly. I make around 60k usd in a Scandinavian startup as a programmer with experience. What is so big deal about it

> I make around 60k usd in a Scandinavian startup as a programmer with experience I'm still trying to wrap my head around why European developers earn significantly less than virtually all their American counterparts, even in high cost of living areas (like Scandinavia) I do understand you specified you work for a startup, but even at one of the many established regional consultancies dev salaries tend to cap out at…

> why European developers appear to be content with earning significantly less than virtually all their American counterparts

It's what the market pays. If I say I want $120k, I won't get a job.

Re: Ask HN: How much do you make at Facebook/Amazon/Apple/Netflix/Google/Microsoft?

#86

Post by 0xff78d4a4 » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 3:26 PM UTC

SWE III (One level above new grad) in Boulder, CO with 4 years at Google: ~$225k total comp with 60/40 cash [Salary+Bonus]/equity.

For reference, Google's ladder goes: SWE II -> SWE III -> Senior SWE -> Staff SWE -> Senior Staff SWE -> Principal -> Distinguished.

Re: Ask HN: How much do you make at Facebook/Amazon/Apple/Netflix/Google/Microsoft?

#87

Post by browsing » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 3:27 PM UTC

rndmswethrwawy wrote: post #23

Staff SWE, Google Seattle. Total 2018 comp will be around 550k with a roughly 55/45 equity/cash split if GOOG shares remain constant. Historically they have typically gone up meaningfully over the course of any given year. The cash component includes base salary and bonus.

I'm still a student, I have a few questions:

-What tech skills sets do you have? Do you need a MS/PhD at your level? If not, does it help?

In school we learn the standard algorithms/data structures material, but I want to expand my horizons and begin learning what is applicable to industry.

I am very curious to learn what someone at your level has skills in. I'd like to pick up something not taught in school and begin hacking away on a project that will help me... which leads to my next question

-What are good beginner resources/tutorials you recommend to learn these skill sets? Are there any good projects you can point me to?

-Just curious. Does "550k with a roughly 55/45 equity/cash split" mean you make ~247,000 base + ~302,500 in stock options? I am not too familiar with how compensation is broken down.

Re: Ask HN: How much do you make at Facebook/Amazon/Apple/Netflix/Google/Microsoft?

#88

Post by gigatexal » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 3:30 PM UTC

rndmswethrwawy wrote: post #23

Staff SWE, Google Seattle. Total 2018 comp will be around 550k with a roughly 55/45 equity/cash split if GOOG shares remain constant. Historically they have typically gone up meaningfully over the course of any given year. The cash component includes base salary and bonus.

Hats off to you sir! half a mill in total compensation is amazing. That's doctor money for much less of the time in school.

Re: Ask HN: How much do you make at Facebook/Amazon/Apple/Netflix/Google/Microsoft?

#89

Post by doktrin » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 3:34 PM UTC

rowyourboat wrote: post #85

doktrin wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I make around 60k usd in a Scandinavian startup as a programmer with experience I'm still trying to wrap my head around why European developers earn significantly less than virtually all their American counterparts, even in high cost of living areas (like Scandinavia) I do understand you specified you work for a startup, but even at one of the many established regional consultancies dev salaries tend to cap out at…

> why European developers appear to be content with earning significantly less than virtually all their American counterparts It's what the market pays. If I say I want $120k, I won't get a job.

> If I say I want $120k, I won't get a job.

I do actually know devs who make this much with ~5 years of experience, but they made the conscious decision to forego the large consultancies for smaller shops with less overhead.

One observation I made in Scandinavia is that the billable rate for tech professionals (including designers) appears to be more or less static. Customers pay roughly the same hourly rate regardless of whether a dev / designer has 2 or 20 years experience, so the most consistent path to higher compensation is to drop layers of support / management (with freelance being the highest).

Re: Ask HN: How much do you make at Facebook/Amazon/Apple/Netflix/Google/Microsoft?

#90

Post by IneffablePigeon » Thu, Jan 04, 2018, 3:35 PM UTC

doktrin wrote: post #48

Viker wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why do people feel this way about their salaries. Always seemed to me that in the grand tottal we will be better off if we did discuss our salaries publicly. I make around 60k usd in a Scandinavian startup as a programmer with experience. What is so big deal about it

> I make around 60k usd in a Scandinavian startup as a programmer with experience I'm still trying to wrap my head around why European developers earn significantly less than virtually all their American counterparts, even in high cost of living areas (like Scandinavia) I do understand you specified you work for a startup, but even at one of the many established regional consultancies dev salaries tend to cap out at…

My perspective of it from the UK:

- $60k/year is a lot of money for most people. Median household income is £24k - and people are generally more worried about whether they're better or worse off than the people they know than in absolute terms. In the UK most good careers cap out at £50-60k - maybe £10k more in London. Growing up, I always considered 6 figure salaries to be out of reach. - It's not necessarily about being _content_ with earning that much. Unless you're willing to move to the US (most people aren't), you have to find someone who'll pay you more than that, whether for programming or for something else. If you're unable to get more money then it's better to be content with what you're getting! - A lot of people I know put a lot of value in work life balance. I have a friend who's under 25 but has already cut their hours to about 75% because they would prefer free time to extra salary. From limited experience this seems a bit at odds with US work culture. - Yes, I think in large part it's down to less VC funding pushing ludicrous amounts of money into the ecosystem. - The recent performance of the £ vs the $ has made a significant difference when comparing to the US.