That doesn't explain the astronomical wages for tech workers at all. Tech workers are paid highly because their employers are generating huge revenues per employee and the cost of living in these coastal hubs is exceptional [even before the most recent tech boom]. Tech workers not in Seattle, Bay Area, LA/Irvine, Boston, NYC and DC/NoVA are not getting paid nearly the same as tech workers in those places. Even in Chicago, Miami, Houston, Austin, Denver, Boulder, Raleigh, Charlotte, Philly -- they're all 20% or more lower comp. And what I'm not sure most folks on the outside looking in realize is just how much better tech companies pay for tech roles than non-tech companies pay for the same roles (usually in "IT" organizations). A SWE with 5yr experience at Google might be making $325k/yr total comp, but a SWE with 5yr experience at a F500 manufacturing company might be making $100k (and possibly working on harder problems).

The Google engineer is probably working directly on a product (or at least in a job function that is paid as if their members are working on the high-margin part of the business). The F500 manufacturing SWE is treated as part of the costs (and probably as NRE or overhead rather than as part of the product or even part of COGS).

>Tech workers are paid highly because their employers are generating huge revenues per employee and the cost of living in these coastal hubs is exceptional

These are factors common to all (e.g.) Google employees. But the folks cleaning the toilets aren't getting paid as much as the software engineers. So there must be a bit more to it than that. I'm not saying that the factors you listed aren't factors, but they aren't the whole story by any means.

If salaries weren’t so high nobody would choose to work for Google in the US vs in other places.

it’s funny because most of the US has the perception that canada is a mess and a horrible place to live too. Awful job prospects, migrant problems, horrible weather, and a housing market that makes the US look cheap. Just to name a few.

Not sure if that’s true at all, i’ve never been to canada! So take those opinions with a huge grain of salt lol.

What’s my point? I guess that perceptions can be very different.

Anyway since you left canada, I hope you found someplace where you are happier. :-)

they're all true, and all (mostly) exaggerated, on both sides of the border

The difference is that I’ve never met a Canadian who hasn’t been to the US at least once. The same can’t be said for US citizens, as evidenced by you.

I lived in Connecticut for 6 months too for what it’s worth. Awful place.

Canada is much better, but has its problem. These days I live in Tokyo and love it.

Over half of Canadians live within 70 miles of the US border and up to 90% (methodologies vary) live with 100 miles of the border. The converse isn't even close to being true.

This isn’t a pissing contest.

The point is that Canadians understand the US far better than USians understand Canada.

i’ve lived in connecticut for 3 years. Can confirm it sucks!

maybe i should actually visit canada one day, see it with my own eyes.