This happened more than once over the last few years. If it was a mistake I could see it happening once. But not three times.

I don't think it is. I got approached by consulting companies and recruiters to work on embedded development for Intel, including on-site work in Santa Clara, CA and travel to Asia. The hourly rate was 60 and days in Asia were 250 each plus accommodations. I've never done a trip to Asia were I was working less than 10 hours per day.

Amazon software development interns (undergrad) in SF get $65/hr + a housing stipend. 60/hr seems far too low

That's what I make at my full time job in NJ with 7 years of experience. Damn.

You have to ask yourself if the raise is worth the COLA as well as quality of life in the Bay Area which include housing stock quality per dollar as well as nuisance crimes you have to deal with (garage, car break ins and dealing people suffering metal health issues in the street, etc.)

It works out for some people but it will not work out for everyone.

Although right now the math is rather different - you can easily remain living in NJ with all your nice local things while switching employers to someone in CA - most people are hiring fully remote people though you may be required to work west coast hours.

And, honestly, I think that after the pandemic companies are going to have a lot of trouble trying to pull employees back into in-office full time work.

Yeah it's nothing. I'm at staff level, 15 years experience, and owned whole boards and projects from product requirements to final assembly and testing for at least five years. I don't know how they get people for that money unless it's some kind of shady situation where they are not actually living in the bay area.

I have 9 years experience, an MSIS, and make a salary that works out to less than $45/hr, but of course there are benefits.

That's cheap 20 years ago I looked at a secondment in Malaysia and that was full ride tax free expat - house and servants! provided.

A quick search shows average US software engineer's salary is $92,046 / yr. Divide that by 251 working days and 8 hours to arrive at $45/h.

I am guessing it is very location specific.

I don't think they got it wrong. A recruiter contacted me for a contractor position in Amazon. It involved Perl coding (I'm guessing some legacy SW they have). They said the max they can pay is $50/hr.