[moonchrome]

>by definition, no shortage of big data people

Shortage is defined by price being above the market equilibrium, we can debate what the equilibrium is but I think even at the current wages people should be interested in getting in to this field (I know a friend who is doing postgrad in math and interning for BI because the prospects are great), it's just that they can't get in fast enough - therefore IMO there is a temporary shortage.

>most likely a PhD plus significant programming time plus work experience.

Is it normal to expect 500k$/year for that experience in some other field ? I would sure like to know, maybe I can still switch :) I mean I know there are people making that kind of money but it can't be the average for PhD with work expirience ?