[ryanwaggoner]

European software developers seem to be insultingly underpaid. I suspect it's more cultural than economic, and relates to the relative status of the profession in the EU.

I know the total costs of an employee are higher in the EU, but are they really 2x - 4x? Top companies in the US offer pretty robust (expensive) benefits, including healthcare. What would make the total cost of a dev in the EU getting paid $42k equal to the total cost of a US employee getting $121k (and total cost of $150k - 175k)?

[kayoone]

In Germany employee costs are roughly 1.5x of gross, i would guess it's similar in Spain.

[ryanwaggoner]

That’s not drastically different from the US, especially where gross is under $100k.