[hackerfromthefu]

But that's ridiculous - many many years of continual study and professional development are required to be a developer - with lots of it happening of the job in the developer's education and personal time.

About a week of on the job training is required to go from an entry level cleaner to an experienced cleaner.

[jjjeii3]

Not only that, but in Germany many companies will not hire you, if you don't have a degree. So you must also spend a lot of time (3-5 years) and money to get a Bachelor/Master degree.

[lonesword]

Money? What money? AFAIK degree programs in German public universities are nearly free.

[jjjeii3]

In public universities yes, but not in private universities. You will also have other expenses as well when you study (rent an appartment, food etc.)

[anoncake]

Don't do that then?

[kurko]

It is ridiculous if you associate pay with degree/profession, but it is not if you associate pay with the offer and demand equilibrium. If there are no revenues to be taken or no demands for a professional, there’s no reason to pay them more. Degree does mean someone deserves to make more.

[bawolff]

Maybe. All i know is i would much rather be a computer programmer than a cleaner, even if being a cleaner paid more.

[closeparen]

Depending on who you ask, income inequality and returns to education/skill are anywhere from closely related to the same fact.