[jaspa99]

That is a very formidable salary compared to the average income, even for software engineers. I suspect you are either a wanted expert in a specific field, an engineering manager, or self-employed?

Doesn't getting into any of the above positions require immense dedication to your craft, to the point of intertwining private and professional live?

[badpun]

Software salaries are increasingly becoming globalised, so, in places with economy in a bad shape, such as for example Ukraine, the average salary may be $300, while a dev may be making $2500. Keep in mind that people making average salaries are really struggling (things aren’t neccessarily cheaper in Ukraine than in the US) and often have family members abroad who send money etc. Btw it’s not that the devs live like kings (although they are certainly very comfortable) - more like average people live lives that would be hard to swallow for Americans.