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0 pointsmatthew92192y ago0 comments

In Seattle, my girlfriend made $65k last year cutting hair for dogs. She has a college degree, but no PhD, but doesn't use the college degree.

I made $350k. I have a college degree in computer science, but no PhD.

Why would any top talent take a job at 50k?

0 comments

coastermug2y ago

UK vs USA. You’re not wrong at all though. It’s also very interesting the lack of salary transparency that exists in the Uk. If you don’t poke your head around London, you can be blissfully unaware of the salaries that are available in Finance and broader tech scene in London. Given that many great UK universities exist outside of London, there will be PHDs who are unaware or don’t care about what they could be earning.

nonethewiser2y ago

> UK vs USA

That's the point though

robotnikman2y ago

Just curious, what tech position pays $350K? I make much less than that right now as a software engineer, though at a non FAANG company and in an area with low cost of living. If I could find a position that pays that much I'd happily jump ship.

matthew9219OP2y ago

I'm a 10 year engineer at a FAANG. My promotion velocity is probably about average, maybe a bit above average, but not exceptional.

DaiPlusPlus2y ago

Are you an IC, Lead, or in some kind of engineering-management role?

I'm also in the Seattle area, with just-over 10 years' full-time experience and started my career at a FAANG and everyone in my orbit (with similar education, roles and experience) is around 150-180, I don't personally know anyone who has admitted TC over $200k.

I'm not skeptical of your claim, but just sharing my experience.

(Yes, Levels.fyi makes me feel insecure about my career accomplishments, but at the same time I don't interview well...)

2 more replies

geodel2y ago

> Why would any top talent take a job at 50k?

If thats only thing available people will surely take it. Its like asking why would I buy million dollar condo in SFO when I can buy 100K house in Mississippi.

Not everything is available everywhere.

Karawebnetwork2y ago

Having taken a job at roughly that paycheck previously, I can tell you exactly why: my rent at the time in that area was $700 a month for a 4 bedrooms apartment.

ChuckNorris892y ago

>In Seattle, my girlfriend made $65k last year cutting hair for dogs.

Because the US pays much, much more for the same jobs, than what the EU or UK pay.

rhuru2y ago

Free healthcare ! :)

lowbloodsugar2y ago

Because they are unwilling to emigrate to the USA.

questime2y ago

Anecdotal but I feel like Brits are really big on emigrating or atleast working abroad. There are a ton in the US, Germany, UAE, Australia etc. And they tend to do very well outside the UK.

lowbloodsugar2y ago

Indeed. Most of my friends no longer live in the UK. Even "average" friends from high school live abroad. I don't understand why people stay. What happens to a country when all those people leave? All those people with a mind that is capable of seeing a better future and acting on it? Who does that leave? Bunch of people who wave tiny flags and cheer a monarchy.

1 more reply

troad2y ago

They are, the US is just insanely strict with skilled migration.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

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coastermug2y ago

nonethewiser2y ago

> UK vs USA

That's the point though

robotnikman2y ago

matthew9219OP2y ago

I'm a 10 year engineer at a FAANG. My promotion velocity is probably about average, maybe a bit above average, but not exceptional.

DaiPlusPlus2y ago

Are you an IC, Lead, or in some kind of engineering-management role?

I'm not skeptical of your claim, but just sharing my experience.

(Yes, Levels.fyi makes me feel insecure about my career accomplishments, but at the same time I don't interview well...)

2 more replies

geodel2y ago

> Why would any top talent take a job at 50k?

If thats only thing available people will surely take it. Its like asking why would I buy million dollar condo in SFO when I can buy 100K house in Mississippi.

Not everything is available everywhere.

Karawebnetwork2y ago

Having taken a job at roughly that paycheck previously, I can tell you exactly why: my rent at the time in that area was $700 a month for a 4 bedrooms apartment.

ChuckNorris892y ago

>In Seattle, my girlfriend made $65k last year cutting hair for dogs.

Because the US pays much, much more for the same jobs, than what the EU or UK pay.

rhuru2y ago

Free healthcare ! :)

lowbloodsugar2y ago

Because they are unwilling to emigrate to the USA.

questime2y ago

Anecdotal but I feel like Brits are really big on emigrating or atleast working abroad. There are a ton in the US, Germany, UAE, Australia etc. And they tend to do very well outside the UK.

lowbloodsugar2y ago

1 more reply

troad2y ago

They are, the US is just insanely strict with skilled migration.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse