god dam where they getting that
this post was submitted on 04 May 2026
1006 points (97.1% liked)
Programmer Humor
32102 readers
196 users here now
Welcome to Programmer Humor!
This is a place where you can post jokes, memes, humor, etc. related to programming!
For sharing awful code theres also Programming Horror.
Rules
- Keep content in english
- No advertisements
- Posts must be related to programming or programmer topics
founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
Maybe that's the monthly pay
Nah, that’s a normal paycheck for a medium level engineer in any American big city.
Nay, daily.
load more comments
(14 replies)
That's not that outrageous as a higher-level IC in a big tech company in a big city. But if you're that senior you're not questioning why you became an engineer.
There's a reason the typical dev career pipeline ends at farmer. People get tired of all the bs and leave never to be seen again.
load more comments
(4 replies)
I mean, you definitely do. I know numerous people that dropped the field entirely (including me) even though the pay is ridiculous.
Already farming?
Sometimes it is just a really intense garden.
load more comments
(2 replies)
Eh, that looks like typical take home for a staff level engineer in a big city.
Edit: Assuming they get paid every two weeks, that’s an annual take home of $161,122. Depending on state taxes, insurance coverage, 401k contributions, dependents, etc, that’s a base salary of $200-250k. Which, yeah, that’s what I budget for a staff salary.
$161,122
Heck, I'd be pulling more than that if I were a self-employed consultant rather than under a consulting firm, in our small city in northern Scandinavia.
Now I'm raking in a little below that, and I'm taking out like a third of it as actual salary and saving the rest, to avoid high taxes, and to to pay for a leased car, pension saving, extra insurance etc, before taxes. But after all that I'm probably saving $3k every month tax free, and maybe $1,5k in my bank account.
Engineering life is pretty okay. Still can't afford a house yet though. Thanks boomers.
Key phrase is "big city". I'm a staff and there's a mid on my team that moved to Seattle. His cost of living adjustment when he moved allows him to make more than I do.
load more comments
(1 replies)
I think for a SF based company 200 - 250k salary is typical for even a senior engineer.
load more comments
(1 replies)
Lockheed Martin
Lol they are not
Mechanical Engineer (union) with 20 years experience, slightly underpaid at $76.33/hr in (just north of the) Seattle area.
It doesn't say it's salary. A lot of companies pay out bonuses right around now.
load more comments
(2 replies)
If that's monthly pay, that's at or below average.
If that's bi-weekly......fuck I need to up my engineering game.
load more comments
(2 replies)
California. It goes with high cost of living.
load more comments
(4 replies)
That reminds me, I need a raise
Why should you get a raise? You're terrible at your job!
Not a single downvote, and you call yourself a downvote hunter smh
load more comments
(3 replies)
You got a job?
I guess I'm getting scammed then.
Or comparing European vs US wages
At least we don't have to deduct 45% of our wages for the eventuality of needing a doctor and also walking 10km with a broken leg to avoid an ambulance ride.
In Germany we get deducted around 40% directly, before the money even reaches us q.q Tbf that includes health care as well as taxes already and also we are a smidge farther away from fascism.
Yeah don't Americans get paid taxes included? Here in Italy I get my wage with income tax, welfare costs etc already deducted.
I am.in the US, taxes come out of the paycheck before its paid.
On my check, before Inget it it pays
Taxes
Social security
401k
Health insurance premium
Dental insurance premium
Union dues
I think a few other small misc things.
Yes, we still get taxed and then we have to pay out of pocket for health insurance. Luckily my company has some good, cheap insurance. I also take advantage of the high deductible program so I can save tax free money in my health savings account.
load more comments
(2 replies)
load more comments
(10 replies)
load more comments
(1 replies)
Engineering as a whole is now diluted with a bunch of money-hungry STEM’s who were never even that good at engineering. Their parents probably pushed them into the degree. It’s sad.
load more comments
(9 replies)
Engineering is just alternating between existential dread and direct deposit therapy.
load more comments
(1 replies)
Omg, this is so true
Where tf did you get that pay lmao, maybe its regional, but I need a raise like that, I'm a BE Dev 2, awaiting performance review for 3 (Senior) and sadly not as close to that as I'd like.
Check levels.fyi. 400-500k+ isn't unusual for senior and above positions in US HCOL areas at competitive tech companies. Often this includes RSUs which can have downsides but are usually ok
load more comments
(5 replies)
I think for many, money isn’t why they became an engineer but it is why they remain one.
You would have to have an incredible grindset to become a decent engineer without actually enjoying any of it. You could become a shitty one just by passing tests, I guess. (And probably many people do)
sign me the fuck up for $6k per pay period.
Hope you're willing to relocate to SF and still spend 50+% of your income on housing you will never own.
load more comments
(12 replies)
No cm002 please don’t use the same repost bot as that other guy. Was it you the whole time????
load more comments
(1 replies)
view more: next ›