I always get skeptical when people discuss raw numbers instead of purchasing power. Even within US, 100k USD is not very meaningful unless you specify the state.

Come to Dublin. Where I work, we'd love to hire more experienced people. I'd say around 15% of my colleagues are >40, with 3 or 4 > 50.

I don't think it is at all unusual to get paid significantly more than €40k..

> I don't think it is at all unusual to get paid significantly more than €40k..

It's neither in Germany. I have no idea where op gets their information. Sure, compared to the US pay in Germany is lower, but 40k is not even remotely on the high end for a developer.

I meant developing EU countries, in developed ones it's more like 60-80k USD, but only in those with healthy economies like DE, NL, IE, etc.

There is one major thing which turns me down about Ireland - I'd have to rent a place to live.

Why do you think that is? (both the depressed salaries and only younger devs)?

On a side note: make your way to SF. As a software engineer, you will feel like a king and there's a meetup for every niche topic you can think of..

Developing countries (PL, CZ, RO) - dominance of low cost and outsourcing centers. Developed countries - software and internet are perceived as some quirks and working on them professionally as undemanding "sitting by the computer", in Germany they value obedience and compliance the most and perceive these professions as bricklaying even (tons and tons of brain numbing corporate Java projects).

That's perhaps in Poland, the Baltics and the former Soviet Block. France, Germany, Norway, etc will promptly put 100+K€ on the table for an experienced consultant in some niche.

Yeah, I don't get it.