Software engineers feel undervalued because of low pay
10 posts across 3 communities in the last 30 days; 80% from r/cscareerquestions.
“Few leave the money is too good. We sold our souls. [re: People who left the software industry, where did you go and are how is it?]”
“Meta pays comparably more than other big tech because they have shit culture and no one is even close to passionate about working there. [re: If there is no shortage of cs grads and software engineers, why has TC not come down?]”
“How much am I being paid [re: How do you feel about Software Engineering reputation going from stereotypical “socially awkward “ but smart nerds to “tech bros” and downright “evil”]”
Several posts express frustration and disillusionment with the tech job market, citing concerns about low wages, demanding working conditions, and a perceived lack of respect for developers' skills. Some feel that only a small percentage of developers are truly valued, while others are treated as easily replaceable 'code monkeys'.
SOURCES (13)
“Few leave the money is too good. We sold our souls. [re: People who left the software industry, where did you go and are how is it?]”
“Meta pays comparably more than other big tech because they have shit culture and no one is even close to passionate about working there. [re: If there is no shortage of cs grads and software engineers, why has TC not come down?]”
“Most developers aren't talented enough to make that kind of salary. More supply of mediocre developer doesn't reduce demand for top tier developers. [re: If there is no shortage of cs grads and software engineers, why has TC not come down?]”
“How much am I being paid [re: How do you feel about Software Engineering reputation going from stereotypical “socially awkward “ but smart nerds to “tech bros” and downright “evil”]”
“You taking a pay cut to do this job? How about doing it for free? [re: Grieving programming]”
“How are you a software engineer making poverty wages? Do you know what that term means? [re: I wasted my life on this career]”
“Nah, just don’t set your sights on FAANG etc. There are loads of companies that pay a decent wage but aren’t in “big tech””
“That software engineering growth is 100% AI based, and actually could probably go much higher than that as devs get laid off and replaced with a mixture of cheaper labour in India and Claude...”
“For companies going with Indian labor over American it has nothing to do with skill and everything to do with cost. Indians are cheap, so why hire Americans that have the audacity to demand a competitive salary and benefits?”
“This guy only speaks for Toronto and Vancouver though, look at other areas like Ottawa. Much lower col and the salaries aren't that much lower”
“I have 10 YOE, but it’s very scattered across the stacks. Dual income is also something we’d like to avoid 😅”
“ah yes, people move from 3rd world countries for unacceptable working conditions”
“You misinterpreted my comment, for whatever reason. CS will stay for the 10% who really know what they are doing and can create verification gates for specific cases. Current people who cry are those who don't even know certain things exist. So, yes, we don't need any code monkeys anymore.”