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Poll: Full-time software engineers in London, what's your annual salary?

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21–30 of 420 posts

Re: Poll: Full-time software engineers in London, what's your annual salary?

#21
post #13

The software industry here in London is really badly paid, for salaried jobs outside finance at least. I know plenty of developers who started at £20-25k as graduates from decent universities and whose salary has slowly risen to 40k over quite a few years. PhD graduates making £35-45k too.

You have to compare like with like: number of days holiday is different (we have different numbers of public holidays); you don't have to pay for health insurance; the numbers here are in sterling not USD; do we value experienced developers more than very new ones; how many have bonuses as a major part of their salary [which this doesn't show]?

Re: Poll: Full-time software engineers in London, what's your annual salary?

#22
post #13

The software industry here in London is really badly paid, for salaried jobs outside finance at least. I know plenty of developers who started at £20-25k as graduates from decent universities and whose salary has slowly risen to 40k over quite a few years. PhD graduates making £35-45k too.

also does a PhD really help when programming (serious question)?

Re: Poll: Full-time software engineers in London, what's your annual salary?

#23
post #17

As someone debating whether to do a Mathematics vs Computer Science vs Joint Honours, I'd really like to hear from graduates what worked out for them. - As a developer, how often are skills from CompSci degree applied on the job? - What do you wish you knew about the job market as an undergrad? - How much part did the prestige of your university play in your current salary?

I did two years of computer science, then quit. I use very little of what I learnt, and the personal development (no pun intended) outside of what I was taught at university has been far more important to my career.

If money is your goal, knowing how to sell yourself (in job applications and interviews) is very important. For job security and progression in general, people skills are essential.

My advice? Don't bother with university, start work ASAP, and keep learning in your spare time.

Re: Poll: Full-time software engineers in London, what's your annual salary?

#24

We really need unions. These polls only help so much. Unfortunately also, there are both retard programmers, and actual programmers. I worked with a retard programmer, he thought that learning Django was a feat of strength...sigh..when I told him about OOP he almost shit his pants.

> he thought that learning Django was a feat of strength...sigh.

Unbelieveable, pulp fiction or Jackie Brown if you really must, but really why bother?

Re: Poll: Full-time software engineers in London, what's your annual salary?

#27
post #21
post #13

The software industry here in London is really badly paid, for salaried jobs outside finance at least. I know plenty of developers who started at £20-25k as graduates from decent universities and whose salary has slowly risen to 40k over quite a few years. PhD graduates making £35-45k too.

You have to compare like with like: number of days holiday is different (we have different numbers of public holidays); you don't have to pay for health insurance; the numbers here are in sterling not USD; do we value experienced developers more than very new ones; how many have bonuses as a major part of their salary [which this doesn't show]?

Sure, a lot of things here are taken care of. But compared to other jobs for smart graduate in the uk, e.g. law (£35-40k as a graduate trainee), investment banking (£40+k as a graduate, rising very quickly and with significant bonus) it is poorly paid.

Re: Poll: Full-time software engineers in London, what's your annual salary?

#28
post #22
post #13

The software industry here in London is really badly paid, for salaried jobs outside finance at least. I know plenty of developers who started at £20-25k as graduates from decent universities and whose salary has slowly risen to 40k over quite a few years. PhD graduates making £35-45k too.

also does a PhD really help when programming (serious question)?

Maybe not for web or mobile development, but without getting into specifics I'm thinking of friends with PhDs directly using their skills in optimization and machine learning in their jobs.

Re: Poll: Full-time software engineers in London, what's your annual salary?

#29

Given the way the City works, do you really want us to not include bonus?

Wait, could you explain to us outsiders "the way the City works?" Are bonuses that important?

Some places have very big bonus' with average salary. I have a few friends on 35-45% bonus on £35k a year as swdevs.

Re: Poll: Full-time software engineers in London, what's your annual salary?

#30

Given the way the City works, do you really want us to not include bonus?

Wait, could you explain to us outsiders "the way the City works?" Are bonuses that important?

In the City, you get hired based on a "total comp" package that includes salary and a practically guaranteed bonus, that can be as much as your base salary or even more.
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