1–10 of 107 posts
I'm new to this field and always thought that SWE (at least the good ones) most definitely add value in exponential multiples over the 400k value but maybe I'm delusional by all the VC speak over twitter. Does he have a point and that we're mostly overpaid? Hope to hear some good points from experienced devs.
If your company can afford to pay $400k and the market is competitive - great, hope they pay you even more in the future. From a personal point of view, you're never overpaid - the more, the better. But what makes sense for the company is a different question, and only some companies will be able to afford those salaries.
Businesses don't pay more than they have to. If a company offers 400k for a job it means they think the person is worth it. If not, the person will likely be fired at some point...
That's all there is to it in a free market, really.
Edit:
The conclusion is that either:
1. They know what they are doing, which means you will generate more value than they pay you whatever they offer (as mentioned I PaulHoule's reply below).
2. They don't. If you think the pay is massively inflated then enjoy it whilst it lasts, because it won't.
What does 'overpaid' mean? Businesses don't pay more than they have to. If a company offers 400k for a job it means they think the person is worth it. If not, the person will likely be fired at some point... That's all there is to it in a free market, really. Edit: The conclusion is that either: 1. They know what they are doing, which means you will generate more value than they pay you whatever they offer (as mentio…
I wouldn't begrudge a SWE who makes $400K, especially if they live in California with their outrageous cost of living. Most workers in the US are woefully underpaid . Wage growth has been mostly stagnant since 1975 while productivity and profits trend ever upward. https://www.epi.org/publication/charting-wage-stagnation/
The only time you are “overpaid” is when the payments department makes and error and wires more money to your account than your contract entails you too.
Baring that corner case you are paid whatever amount you negotiated. If the employer feels like they’re not getting a good deal, they’re welcome to seek recourse within in confines of the law.
The market is saying that those business models shouldn't exist.
This is true no matter what the number is. Slave labor enabled the American South to deploy business models that are impossible today. Doesn't mean it was good.
What does 'overpaid' mean? Businesses don't pay more than they have to. If a company offers 400k for a job it means they think the person is worth it. If not, the person will likely be fired at some point... That's all there is to it in a free market, really. Edit: The conclusion is that either: 1. They know what they are doing, which means you will generate more value than they pay you whatever they offer (as mentio…
I had a friend who was trying to explain Marxism to me (e.g. capitalists rip you off by paying less value than you make) and I told him that (1) I knew Marxism pretty well and (2) I had just worked at a place that was not able to use me effectively thus I was not earning my keep. I told him that I very much wanted to be "underpaid" in the Marxist sense because I'd have a chance of keeping my job and having a sane wor…
I assume that guy is among those who views everyone earning above average at any time as part of the problem.