[fearface]

No, that’s not generally true in Europe. It depends solely on the company. During the first 12 weeks of fatherhood, I worked two days instead of five and my perceived productivity stayed the same. As an expert slacker and procrastinator, you can slack in many places.

Salaries in IT are generally very good in all European countries and if you manage your salary well, you’ll buy a house when you’re in the mid-thirties.

But there are many companies and developers that do extreme low-balling when it comes to money. I saw people paid 40% less than me, delivering much more value. But at the same time, they were so loyal with their employer, they didn’t even ask for a pay rise.

Myself, I’m the opposite, my Cv looks great and if a company wants to hire me, I manage to push the first salary offer usually by 20-30%. Instead of a promotion, I stay for 2-3 years and then just apply until a company gives me another 20-30% more.

My salary tripled since 2003.

[3fe9a03ccd14ca5]

Also, let’s not forget about the extreme cost of living difference between the Bay Area and europe. SWE from google aren’t easily buying homes here, especially if they want to live near their work.

[bitcoinmoney]

Do you mind talking specifics? So 50k/year to 150k? Or 120k to 360k/year?

[ChuckNorris89]

Which country and domain are you in?

[fearface]

Finance IT with a history in multiple German-speaking regions.

[ChuckNorris89]

I don't disagree with you but that's probably some survivor bias there in your original post as maybe the finance IT bubble in the region you're in pays well but that certainly that doesn't apply to most dev positions across Europe as you originally stated. To put it another way, you're probably the exception, not the rule. :) But I agree with everything else you said, thanks for sharing.